Republicans Brace for Midterm Losses as Trump’s Next Moves Loom

On October 30, four days before Election Day, Sen. Ted Cruz warned that Republicans faced a serious threat in Texas and nationally. On his podcast, the Texas Republican said the state’s contests were exceptionally close and predicted the party could lose every statewide race there. He also described early voting numbers as alarming for Republicans, while noting that GOP voters tend to vote later.

More than 48 million early and mail ballots had been cast by Friday, the report said, with registered Democrats accounting for 47 percent and Republicans 35 percent. Texas had recorded 6.76 million early votes, or 36 percent of its electorate. In the state, registered Republicans made up 45 percent of those ballots and Democrats 44 percent.

A Thursday poll put Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico six points ahead of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, while Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa trailed by two points. Cruz questioned the reliability of polls but urged Republicans who had not voted to participate before or on Election Day.

Republicans in Congress and advisers near the White House are also bracing for losses, with some expecting Democrats to take the House and concern extending to the Senate. Elon Musk has put nearly $500 million into the election, much of it through his America PAC. The PAC has spent about $48 million in Texas, around $9 million each in Michigan and Ohio, and $4 million in Iowa.

The coming vote has also raised questions about Trump’s response. A voting-rights advocate said the president could try to intervene in election administration but has limited legal options. Meanwhile, analysts expect him to press ahead with trade disputes and the Iran war; the Pentagon is building up forces in the Middle East and has drawn up potential strike plans involving Iranian nuclear sites and other infrastructure. A hostile Congress could raise the political cost of those decisions, though it may struggle to stop a president determined to proceed.

GOP Fears Mount as Trump’s Iran War and Midterm Stakes Collide

On October 30, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz acknowledged the scale of the danger facing his party before the November 3 midterms: Democrats are turning out early, and Texas could fall along with control of Congress. Cruz said GOP voters often cast ballots later, but his own warning underscores how vulnerable Republicans believe they are.

More than 48 million ballots had been cast by Friday. Registered Democrats accounted for 47 percent of early and mail voters, compared with 35 percent for Republicans. In Texas, 6.76 million people had already voted; Democrats represented 44 percent of those ballots and Republicans 45 percent. A Thursday poll put Democrat James Talarico six points ahead of Republican Ken Paxton in the Senate race, while Democrat Gina Hinojosa was two points behind in the governor’s contest.

Cruz disputed polling but urged Republicans to vote. His alarm comes as Republicans in Washington prepare for the possibility of losing the House and perhaps the Senate. Elon Musk has poured nearly $500 million into the election, directing most of it through his America PAC, including about $48 million in Texas.

The stakes extend beyond the vote. Trump’s legal ability to intervene in election administration is limited, but analysts expect him to continue the Iran war and trade conflicts. The Pentagon is building up its Middle East presence and has prepared possible strike plans targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure and weapons supplies. Democrats may be able to increase the political price of such policies if they gain power, though restraining a president intent on pressing ahead could be difficult. Republicans’ warnings about Democratic turnout cannot obscure the central question: whether voters will give Trump’s party another mandate or impose a check on it.

Cruz Warns GOP Must Turn Out as Democrats Build Early-Vote Lead

On October 30, Sen. Ted Cruz delivered a stark warning to Republicans: Democrats are voting early in large numbers, and the party could lose Texas and control of Congress unless its voters show up. The Texas senator urged supporters to vote before or on November 3, emphasizing that many Republicans traditionally wait until Election Day.

More than 48 million early and mail ballots had been cast by Friday. Registered Democrats accounted for 47 percent of voters so far, compared with 35 percent for Republicans. Cruz said the gap was troubling, while arguing that Republican votes remained to be counted. Texas had seen 6.76 million early ballots, with Republicans narrowly ahead among them, 45 percent to Democrats’ 44 percent.

The numbers have intensified GOP concern about the state’s races. A Thursday poll showed Democrat James Talarico six points ahead of Republican Ken Paxton in the Senate contest, while Democrat Gina Hinojosa trailed by two points in the governor’s race. Cruz said polls lean left but maintained that the turnout figures deserved attention. He warned that every statewide Texas race could be close.

Republicans are also preparing for the possibility of losing the House and perhaps the Senate. Elon Musk has spent nearly $500 million on the midterms, primarily through his America PAC, including roughly $48 million in Texas. The scale of that spending highlights how intensely the party is contesting the races.

After the election, Trump may face a more adversarial Congress as he pursues trade disputes and the Iran war. The Pentagon is increasing its Middle East presence and has developed potential plans to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure and weapons stores. A voting-rights advocate said presidential intervention in election administration would face legal limits. For Republicans, Cruz’s immediate appeal was straightforward: early-vote disparities do not decide the contest if more GOP voters turn out.