Texas Democrats on Ted Cruz victory: The inmates are running the asylum

Texas Democrats mocked former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz on Tuesday after it was announced the tea party candidate had won the state's Republican primary race for Senate.

“Tonight was the Republican Party’s Thelma and Louise moment," Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said. "It may feel pretty exhilarating now, but that landing’s going to be hell. A Ted Cruz victory is the worst thing that could have happened to Texas Republicans."

Cruz defeated establishment favorite Texas Lieutenant Gov. David Dewhurst.

"In spite of Dewhurst’s millions, Perry’s last minute pitches, and establishment support, Republicans nominated Cruz. It’s a Tea-flavored munity, plain and simple. Now they’re saddled with the Texas version of Sharron Angle and Christine O’Donnell. The inmates are running the asylum and middle class Texans are taking notice."

Dewhurst received support from local Republicans, including Gov. Rick Perry. But Cruz was embraced by the national tea party movement. Cruz received endorsements from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, along with Sens. Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Rand Paul (R-KY), Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) and others.

“What we saw in Ted Cruz and this Senate race was threefold: we saw an unquestionably strong and bold tea party conservative in Cruz; we saw Dewhurst as the anointed Austin politician that was exactly what we have been working to rid Washington of; and finally we saw the passion in the Texas tea party activists that could set the stage for this historic victory," Tea Party Express Chairman Amy Kremer said.

[Image via Gage Skidmore, Creative Commons licensed]