I think the reason they didn't was that Beto was the one challenging him. A Democrat won the Republican strongholds of West Houston (the "Energy Corridor") in each of the last two elections. Cruz was ready to be taken as he's widely disliked. But Beto was not the guy to do it. Once Beto had a higher public profile, he continually stepped in his own feces. There were many tone deaf moments, but the one where he came out likely too strong on gun control to ever win a Texas election.
That was the definition of political suicide. I'm expecting Ted Cruz to lose in four years. But, of course, it might be in the primary. Our Democrat House Rep is Lizzie Fletcher. I have really liked her so far. She won re-election last year in what is a generally Republican district that has the the corporate headquarters of Shell (US part of it), Conoco-Phillips, BP (the US portion), and Citgo. That's really remarkable, and it does portend that there is some change coming in Texas.
