Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) was a subject of conversation and ire at the Republican National Convention. The conservative stalwart refused to endorse Republican nominee Donald Trump during hos remarks, which elicited loud boos from the attendees. It was a disaster. He was reportedly refused entry into the donor suite of Sheldon Adelson, a casino magnate who has given millions to the Republican Party.
Donors have also jumped off the Cruz train, leaving two questions. Why on earth would Cruz address the convention if he had no intention of endorsing Trump, something that the billionaire real estate magnate’s campaign knew beforehand. And is this the end of Cruz’s political career. He has little to no friends on the Hill—and a rapidly decreasing Rolodex back home. With no friends and significantly less cash, there’s a possibility that Cruz could face a primary challenge in 2018—and that appears to be what’s brewing in Texas (via CNN):
In the wake of Cruz's controversial speech at the party convention where he refused to endorse Donald Trump, the Texas senator's GOP critics believe there could be a new opening for an intraparty challenge. And behind the scenes, GOP donors and Texas politicians have urged Rep. Mike McCaul to consider mounting a bid against him in 2018, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
McCaul, a six-term congressman who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee, has not yet deliberated on the matter but has yet to rule out a potential Senate run, according to one source close to his House reelection campaign.
George Seay, a top Texas fundraiser, said he was aware of the chatter about a challenger to Cruz and praised McCaul's talent and ability to run a competitive race, even though he counts Cruz as a longtime friend.
"Mike is very well-networked within the donor class," Seay said. "He knows an awful lot of people."
