AUSTIN, Texas (KWTX) - Following a historic midterm shift in Texas politics, Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz called the 2026 election results a "Watergate-level repudiation" for the GOP after Democrat James Talarico secured a decisive victory in the U.S. Senate race.

According to reporting from CBS Texas, Talarico's win over Republican candidate Ken Paxton flips the seat previously held by retiring Sen. John Cornyn, leaving Cruz as the sole remaining statewide elected Republican in Texas.

Cruz acknowledged the outcome in an extensive social media post Wednesday evening, sharing that he reached out to congratulate Senator-elect Talarico and discussed working together on behalf of the state.