INDIAN TRAIL, USA – OCTOBER 29: Michael Whatley holds a Get Out the Vote rally alongside Senator Ted Cruz discussing Roy Cooperâs record making stuff cost more, making streets less safe, and making the American Dream less achievable for North Carolina families in Indian Trail NC, United States on October 29, 2026Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images

Ted Cruz calls midterm election results ‘Watergate-level defeat'

The Texas Senator laid out why he thought Republicans lost the majority in the 2026 midterm elections.

by · 5 NBCDFW

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz released a podcast episode on Wednesday commenting on why Republicans lost in the midterm election and what he vows to do over the next few months.

In the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, Democrats took control of both the House and Senate and swept statewide races in Texas.

"Nowhere are the consequences of this election greater than in Texas," Cruz said.

In his statement, Cruz said Republicans lost votes because they did not understand how the cost of living was impacting voters and didn't do enough to address Americans' pain. Cruz cited rising gas prices, grocery prices, and insurance costs as reasons constituents abandoned the GOP. He also called for the end of the Iran war, saying it should have been brief and decisive.

Cruz said now Republicans need to champion economic policies that make a difference in working people's lives and deal with consequences.

He also said he called James Talarico to congratulate him and looked forward to working together to benefit Texas. However, Cruz vowed to fight to defend Texas from policies like opening the border or raising taxes.

Now Cruz switches the focus to rebuilding the constituents Republicans lost in this election.

He said voters were not aware of two good legislative accomplishments Republicans passed recently, citing Trump accounts and the Education Freedom Tax Credit as generationally powerful.

"Texas will be red again," Cruz said.

Watch the full statement here.