Ted Cruz, Texas Senator, was reprimanded by the largest papers in the Lone Star state, the Houston Chronicle, over the 2021 storm.
Freezing in the dark
In February 2021, storm Uri forced power plants to go offline, leaving Texans in the dark and, in some cases, without water. The deadly storm claimed 246 lives, though some outlets reported that the number was much higher. Killer storm cost the state $80 billion to $130 billion, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar confirmed.
Cruz was in Cancun
Photos of a Texas Senator jetting off to Mexico’s Cancun went viral, and upon his return, many Texans asked for his resignation. Cruz defended himself by saying his daughter asked for the trip, and he only wanted to be a good dad. The Houston Chronicle wrote at the time, “Cry us a Mai Tai.”
Cruz’s joke
The Texas Senator shared on X on January 14, “Texans, with the freeze coming, wrap your pipes, cover your plants, stay off icy roads & keep your family safe. And, if it gets too damn cold, join me in Cancun!” The Houston Chronicle op-ed by the editorial board said it was “too soon” for jokes surrounding the deadly storm and added, “It will probably always be too soon.”
Cruz’s betrayal
The op-ed read, “Who laughs about a deadly storm that left millions without power and totaled billions in financial losses? Someone with a cold heart and warm hands cradling a piña colada. Your dog Snowflake may have forgiven you for your betrayal, senator, but we haven’t.”
Cruz’s dog was left behind but not alone
While it was believed initially that the small white rescue was left alone, Snowflake did not travel with the family. Still, he was “not left alone and was never in peril,” Jessica Skaggs, press secretary for the Republican senator, said at the time. Journalist Michael Hard went to Cruz’s home and confirmed that a security guard cared for Snowflake.
Texas will likely never forget Cruz in Cancun
The Houston Chronicle wrote in 2021, “Take our advice, senator, and resign. Seems like you could use a break, and we could, too, from an ineffective politician who, even in crisis, puts his personal itinerary before the needs of Texans.” Other outlets joined the Chronicle.
“Unforgivably bad”
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s editorial board also slammed Cruz’s behavior in February 2021, calling it “unforgivably bad.” The outlet wrote, “Elected officials should be standing with their constituents, not sticking their toes in the warm sand.”
Predictions came true
The publication predicted, “In 2024, Cruz is going to ask Republican voters, and then possibly the wider electorate, to nominate him for the presidency or return him to the Senate for a third term.” The editorial board’s op-ed added, “No matter what Cruz says between now and then, we have our answer about his.”
Cruz’s re-election
Cruz officially endorsed Trump in January 2024, though he praised both Trump and DeSantis in his Newsmax interview. Cruz is also facing his potential re-election, and CNN analysis showed that Cruz is ninth among the 10 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2024. Reminding voters about the Cancun debacle was not something he needed.
Cruz faces not one but two strong, likely challengers
Colin Allred, a lawyer and former NFL star, carries a strong name recognition, and the Texas Democrat has a record of flipping red seats to blue. He is also fundraising fantastically and has raised around $6.2 million so far.
Senator Gutierrez could be a match for Cruz
Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez became recognizable following the tragic Robb Elementary School Shooting in Uvalde. Since then, Gutierrez worked on helping the families and advocating for new gun regulations.
Gutierrez is fighting for the Uvalde survivors
The San Antonio Democrat recently shared how he has plenty of guns but does not see the need for semi-automatic or automatic weapons. The Uvalde shooting took the lives of 19 children and two teachers, and the perpetrator, an 18-year-old, had an AR-15-style rifle.
Cruz raised his profile in 2023
Cruz, a presidential hopeful in 2016, published a book, “Unwoke: How to Defeat Cultural Marxism in America” in November 2023. It has impressive ratings, with many praising his writing style. Cruz also has a Verdict with Ted Cruz podcast, a popular tool, especially for attracting younger voters.
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