Sen. Ted Cruz voiced his disapproval for longtime U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell this week, and voted to oust him as senate minority leader.
“He’s unhappy about the way that the midterm elections went,” Texas Tribune political reporter James Barragán says. “Obviously, Republicans were expecting a big red wave, which – even though they won the [U.S. House of Representatives] – did not materialize. And it certainly did not materialize in the Senate, where Democrats are looking like they’re going to keep that majority.”
Instead, Sen. Cruz supported Florida Sen. Rick Scott for GOP senate leader. “But ultimately, the vote went 39-17 McConnell’s way,” Barragán says, “and he’s going to remain the leader of the Republicans.”
For more stories from the week in Texas politics, including state Republicans’ reactions to President Trump’s election announcement, the latest on Gov. Greg Abbott’s migrant busing program and more, listen in the audio player above.
