Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/tea-party-favorite-ted-cruz-wins-texas-senate-seat Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Story Former Texas Solicitor General and Tea Party favorite Ted Cruz won the open U.S. Senate seat in Texas left vacated by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. This follows a surprise upset in the GOP primary when Cruz won the nomination over Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.