Why Ted Cruz’s next reelection path looks smoother with Beto O’Rourke behind him

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, gives closing arguments to a crowd at the Redneck Country Club in Stafford on Nov. 5, 2018. (Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune)

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WASHINGTON — Six years ago, Ted Cruz was vulnerable. He was widely derided as Congress’ least likable Republican senator — by members of his own party. And in his home state, he was facing off against a barnstorming Democratic opponent so formidable that he was drawing GOP voters across the aisle.