Ted Cruz

September 11, 2018

Are Some Republicans Ready to Abandon Ted Cruz for Beto O’Rourke?

Polling firm finds some Republicans are ready to cross party lines.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) leaves the Senate Chamber following early morning votes at the U.S. Capitol February 9, 2018 in Washington, DC.

September 11, 2018

Some People Think Ted Cruz Is a Jerk. Is It Enough to Make Him Lose?

President Trump’s budget adviser says the Texas Senate seat is in play because the party nominee is not likable.

Lupe Valdez and Beto O'Rourke raise their hands as they are cheered at the end of the general session at the Texas Democratic Convention Friday, June 22, 2018, in Fort Worth.

September 6, 2018

Finally, Democrats Lead in a Texas Poll, But It May Not Matter

Texas Hispanics prefer Democratic nominee for governor Lupe Valdez over Republican incumbent Greg Abbott by a slim margin and Beto O’Rourke over Republican U.S. Senator Ted Cruz by a wider margin. But does it matter for a voting block that notoriously fails to turn out on Election Day?The poll, conducted

By Carlos Sanchez

September 6, 2018

Beto O’Rourke Is the National Democrat of Texas, But Will That Help Him Win?

Donations and the love of Hollywood suggest that O'Rourke may be more popular outside the state—and more vulnerable at home.

Then Republican presidential candidates (L-R) Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) participate in the Fox Business Network Republican presidential debate on January 14, 2016 in North Charleston, South Carolina.

September 4, 2018

A Billboard With Trump’s Meanest Tweet About Ted Cruz Is Going Up in Texas

Their fraught primary relationship comes back to haunt Texas’s junior senator.

By Dan Solomon

Campaign volunteers Geralyn Johnson of Bullard, left, and Rose Assad of Flint, right, hold paper cut-outs of the face of Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, at the doors of St. Louis Baptist Church in Tyler, where O'Rourke made a campaign stop to speak with voters on Monday Aug. 13, 2018.

August 31, 2018

Beto O’Rourke Faces New Political Perils As Launch of Fall Campaign Begins

Despite a sense of momentum, the Democrat’s unconventional campaign is in unchartered territory as the candidate faces new scrutiny and political attacks.

By R.G. Ratcliffe and Carlos Sanchez

August 28, 2018

Ted Cruz Responds to Beto O’Rourke’s Viral NFL Protest Comments

The senator released a digital counterpunch to his competitor’s viral video, though it has yet to pick up the same steam.

By Leif Reigstad

August 27, 2018

Will Beto O’Rourke Become President?

It might help if he loses to Ted Cruz.

By Eric Benson

August 23, 2018

Beto O’Rourke Is Everywhere. Why Don’t More Texas Voters Know Him?

O’Rourke continues to nip at Ted Cruz’s heels in the latest poll, even if a third of the state's voters are unfamiliar with him.

August 22, 2018

Beto O’Rourke’s Commentary on NFL Player Protests Is Blowing Up the Internet

"I can think of nothing more American," the candidate said. It’s another viral hit for the digital wunderkind.

By Leif Reigstad

August 9, 2018

What Could Ted Cruz’s Campaign Have Meant When It Called Beto O’Rourke a ‘Triple Meat Whataburger Liberal’?

Thank you, Ted Cruz campaign, for introducing the Whataburger-themed insult to Texas politics.

By Dan Solomon

August 1, 2018

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Is Asking About Beto O’Rourke–Ted Cruz Race

The Senate leadership was briefed on the Texas race as a pair of new polls show O'Rourke neck and neck with the incumbent Cruz.

By Carlos Sanchez

August 1, 2018

O’Rourke Trails Cruz by Two Points in Latest Poll

All other statewide offices on the ballot remain comfortably in the hands of Republicans.

By Carlos Sanchez

July 27, 2018

Proxy War: The U.S. Senate Race in Texas and President Trump

Ted Cruz versus Beto O’Rourke may be the most anticipated Texas race on the November ballot, but June’s state party conventions were all about Donald Trump.

Border & Immigration|

June 19, 2018

Texas Lawmakers Speak Out Against Family Separation Policies

House speaker Joe Straus asks President Trump to stop the policy, while State Representative César Blanco asks Abbott to cease National Guard deployment.

By R.G. Ratcliffe and Carlos Sanchez

Sports|

June 14, 2018

Ted Cruz vs. Jimmy Kimmel: Basketball Scouting Report

The late-night host and Texas senator will go one-on-one on Saturday. Here's our scouting report.

By Dan Solomon and Leif Reigstad

June 5, 2018

Ted Cruz Chickened Out on Trump Pardon Question

Constitutional scholar Ted Cruz says he has no idea whether President Trump can pardon himself.

Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-Texas takes a photo with supporters during a town hall meeting March 22, 2018, at Texas Southern University in Houston.

May 30, 2018

O’Rourke, Valdez Election Support Is Slipping

What may be more troubling for Democrats is that half of the state’s voters still don’t know much about the two standard-bearers.

April 25, 2018

Democrats Create Big-Money PAC to Oppose Senator Ted Cruz

A new super PAC wants you to F Ted Cruz—fire him, that is.

April 18, 2018

Little-Known Beto O’Rourke Is Nipping at Ted Cruz’s Heels

More than half of those in a new survey lack an opinion of Beto O’Rourke, but he’s still tied with Cruz.

April 16, 2018

Did a Prominent Republican Donor Have a Hand in Helping Beto O’Rourke?

Oilman Tim Dunn is investing in a super PAC trying to defeat the Democratic senate nominee after helping him win a seat in Congress in 2012.

April 4, 2018

Beto O’Rourke Hits Pay Dirt With Bernie Sanders Money Machine

The Democratic Senate nominee raked in $6.7 million and paid more than $2.6 million to former Sanders fundraisers.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) walks on stage to speak at Liberty University to announce his presidential candidacy March 23, 2015 in Lynchburg, Virginia.

March 19, 2018

Cambridge Analytica Helped Ted Cruz Win Iowa But Now May Haunt His Reelection

The London-based political profiling company is accused of harvesting 50 million Facebook profiles without users’ permission.

February 22, 2018

The NRA Spends a Lot of Money on the Texas Congressional Delegation

The majority of members also received high grades for their voting record on gun issues.

By Sonia Smith

Border & Immigration|

February 15, 2018

Ted Cruz Lashes Out at Fellow Republicans Over Immigration

Senator Ted Cruz told the Senate that Republicans did not campaign to grant amnesty to undocumented immigrants.

January 25, 2018

Beto O’Rourke Is Polling Like a Generic Democrat. Can That Make Him a Threat?

Cruz's disapproval ratings may put him at risk.

January 20, 2018

Ted Cruz Suddenly Goes Low-Profile on the Government Shutdown

Senator Cruz set the stage for a 2013 federal shutdown with a dramatic reading of Green Eggs and Ham. Now, he’s quiet.

December 21, 2017

Ted Cruz Is (Still) Running for President

As his first term in the U.S. Senate comes to a close, Cruz is already gearing up for the next big election.

December 19, 2017

Updated: Ted Cruz Scores a Victory on Funding for Private Schools

Cruz could secure more money in tax cuts for private schools and homeschools than Greg Abbott or Dan Patrick have gotten from the state.

November 3, 2017

Bill King Rules out Independent Run for U.S. Senate

The former Houston mayoral candidate says voters are eager for a middle ground.

Sports|

November 2, 2017

The Astros Won the World Series. Who Else Won (and Lost)?

Yeah, the Astros really pulled it off.

By Dan Solomon

October 20, 2017

The Binary Choice of Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders

CNN’s Debate Night: Bernie Sanders, Ted Cruz, and a house divided.

October 18, 2017

Ted Cruz Got Doused with Dr Pepper. Then He Tweeted the Zodiac Killer Cipher Thing

Just another day for the junior senator.

By Leif Reigstad

October 12, 2017

Evangelical TV Network Executive Might Challenge Ted Cruz

Bruce K. Jacobson Jr. says Cruz broke a promise to voters by refusing to endorse Donald Trump at the 2016 Republican National Convention.

May 1, 2017

Joaquin Castro Steps Away from Challenging Ted Cruz

Castro’s decision leaves Beto O’Rourke as the lone Democrat in the U.S. Senate race.

January 24, 2017

Matthew Dowd on Ted Cruz and Why The Political Parties Are Dinosaurs

ABC commentator talks about how to change the Texas political landscape.

January 14, 2017

Mad Dog and the Senator from Central Casting

Ted Cruz, John Cornyn, and senatorial demeanor.

November 23, 2016

How Ted Can Get His Cruz Back

A prominent Republican strategist's advice for our now-beleaguered junior senator.

By Matt Mackowiak

September 23, 2016

Ted Cruz Caves

Why he will come to regret his endorsement of Donald Trump’s presidential bid.

July 22, 2016

Texans Confront Ted Cruz

Will the senator face consequences back home for his stand against Trump?

July 21, 2016

Ted Cruz’s Act of Defiance

The Texas senator undercut his own party’s nominee in perhaps the most public way possible.

June 20, 2016

The Great Divide

After this disorienting election season, what path is left for Texas conservatives? Who is leading the party? And what on earth to make of Donald Trump? A few insights from the state Republican convention.