Advertisement

Ted Cruz wasn’t endorsed by the major newspaper in the Texas city he grew up in

Senator Ted Cruz greets supporters before the start of the debate between candidate for the US Senate Beto O'Rourke and Senator Ted Cruz, in San Antonio, Texas, USA, 16 October 2018. EPA/EDWARD A. ORNELAS via AP

Sen. Ted Cruz failed to win the endorsement of the Houston Chronicle, the biggest newspaper in the city in grew up in, even after it supported his bid for the U.S. Senate six years ago.

Despite mostly endorsing Republican presidential candidates going all the way back to the 1930s, the newspaper this time is boosting Beto O’Rourke, the congressman who is Cruz’s Democratic challenger.

WATCH: Coverage of Ted Cruz on Globalnews.ca:

Story continues below advertisement

The newspaper sternly rebuked Cruz for his performance in office, saying he’s the junior senator for Texas “in name only.”

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“Exhibiting little interest in addressing the needs of his fellow Texans during his six years in office, he has kept his eyes on a higher prize,” an editorial said.

It criticized him for his role in the 2013 government shutdown, “an exercise in self-aggrandizement” that it said “undercut the economy” and “cost taxpayers an estimated $2 billion.”

READ MORE: Democrats turn to authenticity as way to gain mass appeal

The newspaper also noted the “bipartisan disdain” that Cruz has from colleagues in D.C. — it mentioned Republican ex-House Speaker John Boehner calling him “Lucifer,” and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham saying that, “if you killed Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, and the trial was in the Senate, nobody would convict you.”

“His repellent personality hamstrings his ability to do the job,” the editorial said.

In contrast, the newspaper said O’Rourke has focused on policy positions “in keeping with a candidate duly aware of the traditionally conservative Texas voter he would be representing in the U.S. Senate.”

Democratic challenger and US Representative from Texas Beto O’Rourke speaks during a debate with Republican Senator Ted Cruz (not pictured) before the US Midterm elections in San Antonio, Texas, USA, 16 October 2018. EPA/TOM REEL / POOL via AP

Newsweek noted that the Chronicle has endorsed 14 Republican presidential candidates and seven Democrats since 1932.

Story continues below advertisement

Cruz’s campaign did not offer any comment to Newsweek on the newspaper’s editorial; O’Rourke’s hadn’t responded on Friday night.

Born in Calgary, Alta., Cruz grew up in Houston and went to Harvard Law School.

He later worked as a lawyer before he entered politics.

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to hold a rally in support of Cruz in Houston on Oct. 22.

Sponsored content

AdChoices