As we all know, Cruz beat Beto last night in a tighter race than anyone could have imagined a year ago.  In his victory shout, Cruz actually offered a fragment of an olive branch to Beto supporters saying, “I want to also say millions across this state were inspired by his campaign. They didn’t prevail and I am grateful the people of Texas chose a different path.   But let me say to all of those who worked on his campaign, all of those who were inspired that I am your Senator as well. My responsibility is to represent every Texan.”  Questions for Raphael – does this mean you’re going to stop trying to destroy health insurance and public schools in Texas?  I doubt it.  Are you going to stop demagoguing and spending all of your time running for president in Iowa?  No way.

In more dark news, Kim Olson lost to the worst human being in Texas, Sid Miller, and all other statewide offices were kept in the death grip of deplorables.  It’s so depressing.  I’m reading that turnout was even larger than in 2014 AND 2016, but straight party voting was the kiss of death to really good statewide candidates on the Dem side.

One really bright spot, though, was that “Liberal Lizzie Fletcher” decisively beat John Culberson.  Lizzie is a real breath of fresh air, and the message was clear that Houstonians are sick and tired of being unrepresented by an unresponsive, out of touch career politician.  Don’t let the door hit you on the ass on your way out the door, John.

Dems also had strong showings in Dallas and Tarrant Counties as well as in Harris and Fort Bend. At a minimum, the Dems wrested control of the House of Representatives from Republicans, so at least one part of the legislative branch will begin doing its job holding His Orangeness in check.  That should prove to be ugly, but I’m looking forward to the entertainment value.

All in all, though, I am personally sick to death of Texas being controlled by stupid people.  I’m sick and tired of the Texas Democratic Party being the millstone around great candidates necks instead of the wind at their backs.  I’m tired of poor turnout that simply hands races to the Repubs.  Yeah, I’m still in the ditch, but I’m still here.

NBC News is calling the race for Raphael Cruz over Beto.  It was a good run, and super competitive.  Can you imagine how well we’d do if most Texans actually f**king voted?  Jack Daniels, here I come.

Guys, for the first time in 28 years a Democrat will be elected countywide in Fort Bend County, the swing county of Texas.

In fact, not just one person, every damn countywide Democratic candidate, all judicial, the DA, and court administrators are leading in early voting at about 53%.  That’s 11 seats that will probably flip – they are at 53% in early voting and only 1 time in 28 years have I seen a seat lost after winning early voting.

You are very much a part of this.  Thank you so much.  You helped cause a blue wave.

I’ll keep you updated as more votes come in.

We took back the House.  Yes!

Warning: Do not, repeat do not, mess with professionals.

This is a great laugh.  Triumph the Insult Dog takes on Ted Cruz and the results are hysterical.  Please give yourself the gift of watching Ted Cruz mess with professionals.  Click right here.

Also, a little inside tip.  According to trustworthy Texas rumors, on Friday night, when Cruz’s team did analytics on the early voting turn out, the results were so bad that Cruz called Governor Abbott and asked him to infuse $3,000,000 into Cruz’s campaign right away.  Abbott gave him half a million because that’s all he felt like flushing down the toilet.

My long time Democratic friends are thrilled that Beto has not backed off any of his progressive positions and, ignoring the urgings of the “consultant class,” stayed a lefty in Texas.  He’s been the most successful Democratic candidate in Texas in 28 years because he rejected the Republican-Lite model.

Please keep your fingers crossed tonight.  It’s gonna be close.

Okay, so there’s this little surprise.

In a move that is being decried by several members of the Texas congressional delegation, the U.S. Border Patrol announced Monday that it would be conducting an Election Day crowd control exercise in El Paso, the hometown of Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Beto O’Rourke.

This will be done right next to a Hispanic neighborhood.  On freekin’ election day.  In full riot gear.

Oh no, it could not have been done yesterday or tomorrow.  Nor could it have been announced a week ago so we could do something about it.  Nor could it have happened in any of the other 1,254 miles of Texas border with Mexico.

Sumbitches.

Thanks to AlaninAustin for the heads up.

They said it couldn’t be done, but Steve King did it.

All three is one sentence: Racism, Homophobia and Misogyny!

Congratulations Steve King!  You are today’s winner at Republican Haters and Their Ilk.

Thanks to Deb T for the heads up.