Top Republican likens midterm losses to Watergate

Republicans suffered a catastrophic defeat in this year's midterm elections, with a top party figure comparing the scale of the loss to Watergate. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, whose own seat was not up for election, noted the party lost a Senate seat to Democrats for the first time since 1988. He argued that Republican voters turned out but rejected their candidates, partly because politicians dismissed cost-of-living concerns. Cruz highlighted a stark economic divide where the wealthy prospered while food and fuel prices surged, angering voters. He said elected Republicans failed to adequately address the tangible pain of ordinary people.