Skip to content

Eric Cantor Defeat a Victory for Ted Cruz?

(Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
(Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Sen. Ted Cruz’s staff appeared to be in a celebratory mood Tuesday after Eric Cantor’s shocking loss Tuesday night, and that shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Cruz has frequently been a thorn in House GOP leadership’s side, even recently consorting with ForAmerica, a group headed by Brent Bozell, which as explicitly called for Cantor and the rest of the leadership to be tossed overboard for months.  

Cruz, who has taken to having secret meetings with small groups of mutiny-minded House conservatives  and helped torch GOP leadership’s immigration principles earlier this year, appeared on a conference call with Bozell in April.  

When asked how they can help Cruz get Republican leaders to stay true to their promises, Cruz called for “a grass-roots tsunami.”  

“If you look to Washington, you will be nothing but demoralized and despondent,” Cruz said. “The greatest divide we have in this country is between entrenched politicians in both parties and the American people.”  

Those entrenched politicians “aren’t listening and they’re not going to,” Cruz said.  

“We need to make it politically more risky to do the wrong thing,” he said.  

Cruz appeared to get his wish Tuesday night.  

   

Related stories:

Eric Cantor Loses Primary in Massive Upset (Video)


Republican Senate Primary Challengers Jump on Eric Cantor Loss


Eric Cantor’s Defeat Was in the Immigration Tea Leaves


On Immigration, the Pressure Mounts for Eric Cantor


10 Republicans Who Could Be Speaker


Cantor’s Pediatric Research Bill Could Have Been a Bust


Eric Cantor: A Brief Biography


Get breaking news alerts from Roll Call in your inbox or 
on your iPhone.


Recent Stories

Butler, the newest senator, worked to elect and defeat many colleagues

Gaetz plans move to oust McCarthy, says GOP needs new leader

McCarthy promises ‘punishment’ over Bowman fire alarm before vote

Shutdown averted as Biden signs seven-week spending bill

Stopgap funding bills hung up in both chambers

Who are the House Republicans who opposed the stopgap budget bill?