Ted Cruz: Eric Cantor Defeat a Sign for GOP

Ted Cruz commented on Eric Cantor's loss. (Tom William/CQ Roll Call)

Posted June 11, 2014 at 12:09pm

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, says Tuesday’s primary defeat of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor should be a wake-up call for Republicans.

“I believe we are going to retake the Senate and retire Harry Reid as majority leader,” Cruz told a handful of reporters Wednesday. “But I will note that the election results north last night in Virginia and just a few days ago in Mississippi, in both instances, voters decided they wanted something different from business as usual in Washington. That’s a powerful message that I hope every elected official hearts.

“The most common thing you hear as you travel the country is that people in Washington aren’t listening … something happens when folks get elected. They go to Washington, they drink the water and they stop listening,” Cruz added. His response to Cantor’s shocking loss to newcomer and college professor David Brat in a Virginia GOP primary followed an appearance on Glenn Beck’s radio program, where also discussed the Mississippi Senate primary involving longtime incumbent Thad Cochran.

“You look at the results in Mississippi, where the fourth longest-serving member of the Senate has suddenly found himself in a runoff because Chris McDaniel is running a strong grassroots campaign. How does Washington respond? By heaping lies and personal attacks, and trying to attack any candidate who takes on the Washington status quo,” Cruz told Beck.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee, of which Cruz is a vice chairman, is backing Cochran.

“My role in the NRSC is focused on helping Republicans win general elections in 2014,” Cruz also told the reporters.