Texas – Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is warning that Americans could face dramatically higher gasoline prices and rising costs under Democratic leadership, arguing that the party’s policies will make the affordability problems that helped fuel its election victories even worse. In a video shared on X, Cruz said voters who were frustrated by high prices could soon regret their decision to support Democrats in the November 3 elections. He specifically pointed to gasoline prices, claiming Democrats want to push prices far beyond current levels as part of an effort to eliminate gasoline-powered vehicles.
“Everyone who was pissed off at high prices: things are about to get much worse,” Cruz said. “The radicals they elected don’t want gas prices at $4, $5, $6. They want them at $10, $12, $15. They want to ban the gasoline engine.”
Cruz argued that Democratic policies would increase costs across the economy, warning that consumers could feel the impact beyond the gas pump.
“If the Democrats have their way, they’re going to drive up every cost you pay,” he said.
The senator’s comments came after a major Democratic victory in the midterm elections, which saw the party take control of both chambers of Congress and make historic gains in several traditionally Republican states.
In Texas, Democrats delivered one of the biggest political upsets of the election, winning the governor’s race, flipping a U.S. Senate seat and taking control of the state House for the first time since Republicans gained control following the 2002 election.
Democratic candidate James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the Senate race, while Gina Hinojosa defeated Gov. Greg Abbott, ending the Republican Party’s decades-long hold on the governor’s office. The results marked a dramatic shift in a state that has been a central pillar of Republican electoral strength.
The national results also handed Democrats control of the House and Senate, with voters delivering a strong rebuke to President Donald Trump and Republicans. Reuters reported that frustration over the cost of living, the war with Iran and dissatisfaction with Trump’s leadership contributed to the sweeping Democratic gains. Affordability was among the central issues of the election. Polling published by CBS News found that economic concerns helped drive voters away from Republicans, with people who viewed the economy negatively backing Democratic House candidates. The findings also showed that voters who felt their financial situation had worsened were more likely to support Democrats.
A separate analysis by KFF found that the cost of living was a major concern for voters, with gasoline, health care and groceries among the expenses weighing on households. Its analysis of the 2026 election polling also found that concern about gas and diesel costs had increased compared with the 2024 presidential election. Cruz, however, argued that Democrats would fail to deliver on the affordability concerns that helped them win. He predicted that the party would instead pursue policies that increase energy costs and make everyday expenses more difficult for American families.
The senator also said he expected Democrats to overreach now that they have gained political power in Washington and made historic advances in Texas. “The one silver lining is we know the Democrats are going to overreach in Texas and in Washington,” Cruz said. “That’s going to do a lot of damage to Americans and Texans, and I grieve for that.”
Despite acknowledging the scale of the Republican losses, Cruz said he believes the political consequences of Democratic policies could eventually create an opportunity for Republicans to regain support.
He said Republicans must rebuild around free-market principles, job creation, family interests and what he described as common sense.
“But out of that damage, we are going to turn this country around by standing up for free market principles, jobs, people’s families, and common sense,” Cruz said.
Cruz’s comments reflect his broader argument that Democrats will struggle to meet voters’ expectations after campaigning heavily on the cost of living. He has suggested that the party’s policy agenda will eventually alienate voters who supported Democratic candidates because of frustration over prices.
However, the election results also presented Republicans with a challenge: voters who prioritized the economy and affordability were not persuaded by the party’s message. Democrats will now face pressure to demonstrate that they can deliver on their promises as they prepare to take control of Congress in January.
