Democrats claimed historic victories across the nation on Election Day, especially in Texas as the state flipped blue — in what U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz called a "Watergate-level repudiation."
Cruz shared his thoughts on his Nov. 5 podcast episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz" about what the midterm losses meant for the party, pointing to the party's major losses across the board in Texas.
"Texas is blue. That is a hard sentence to utter. But Texas, today at least, is blue. As we sit here today, I am the only statewide elected Republican who remains in Texas. That’s not something I ever thought I would say," Cruz said.
Cruz, who isn’t up for reelection until 2030, is the only Republican left among top Texas officeholders after Democrats won a U.S. Senate
seat, the governor's seat and all statewide offices in Texas on Nov. 3.
The senator said he called Democrat James Talarico, who won Texas’ other U.S. Senate seat. Cruz said it was a "pleasant conversation," and he looks forward to working with him to "benefit Texas."
"So, if there are things like flood relief for the Hill Country, or trying to get the space academy to Texas, he and I will work together," Cruz said.
But Cruz said he would oppose policies he believes would hurt Texans, including tax increases.
"I will fight with all of my strength to defend Texas and to defend the Constitution," he said.
He also provided a path forward for Republicans after their loss, urging them to pursue policies that directly benefit the constituents they lost.
To him, he said Republicans lost key voters — blue-collar voters, Evangelical Christians, farmers and ranchers, young people and Hispanics — because the party didn't do enough to address their pain.
"People voted as they did because they were angry," Cruz said.
The cause of this, Cruz noted, was President Donald Trump's tariffs making things more expensive and the Iran war continuing to drag on saying it needs to end.
Despite the losses, Cruz turned to the future, saying Texas will be red again and Republicans will rebuild "as a true blue-collar party."
"But hear me now: we will bring Texas back. I am filled with hope and optimism," he said.
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas, based in Austin. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ted Cruz says Texas is blue. He also says it will not stay that way
