MAGA Sends Dan Crenshaw A Clear Message

A major political upset rocked Texas 🏛️Politics Tuesday night as four-term Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw lost his GOP primary to Texas State Rep. Steve Toth, a victory that underscores the growing influence of the MAGA wing inside the Republican Party.

The hard-fought primary in Texas’s 2nd Congressional District ended with Toth defeating the incumbent congressman after months of escalating tension between Crenshaw and grassroots conservatives who questioned his loyalty to former President Donald Trump.

The race exposed deep divisions within the GOP. Notably, Trump did not formally endorse Crenshaw, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also stayed out of the contest.

But one of the most influential endorsements landed firmly on Toth’s side. Sen. Ted Cruz publicly backed the challenger after a reported confrontation between the two Republicans and Crenshaw at an airport. According to reports, Crenshaw accused Cruz of working behind the scenes against his reelection.

Cruz reportedly responded bluntly: If I’m working against you, you’re going to know it.

Days later, the Texas senator formally endorsed Toth and released a paid advertisement promoting the challenger. In the ad, Cruz praised Toth as the kind of Republican voters were looking for.

“You deserve an unwavering fighter, a Republican who walks the walk,” Cruz said, without mentioning Crenshaw by name.

Toth leaned heavily into that message during the campaign, presenting himself as the candidate more closely aligned with the conservative grassroots and the MAGA movement. At one point, he compared Crenshaw to a “version of Liz Cheney,” referencing the former Wyoming congresswoman who famously clashed with Trump before ultimately leaving Congress.

The strategy resonated with key conservative organizations and activists.