Ted Cruz leaves DC restaurant after encountering protesters

Protesters stormed a Washington, D.C. restaurant where Senator Ted Cruz was dining with his wife on September 24, calling on him to withdraw support for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Protesters chanted: “We believe survivors.”
Star Telegram, September 5, 2018:

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and his wife, Heidi, were just trying to have dinner at Fiola, an Italian restaurant in Washington, D.C.

But they soon abandoned their dinner plans, and left the restaurant, after their booth was swarmed by people chanting “We believe survivors.”

A video being circulated on social media shows a woman talking to Cruz about U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, asking how the junior senator of Texas plans to vote regarding his potential confirmation.

The unidentified woman told Cruz that she was a survivor and has a right to know how he will vote on Kavanaugh, who has been accused of inappropriate sexual conduct, according to the video posted by Smash Racism DC on Twitter.

“God bless you, ma’am,” Cruz responded.

After it became clear the protesters were not going to stop anytime soon, Cruz stood up, put his jacket back on and left the restaurant with his wife.

As he was leaving, one man said, “Beto is way hotter than you.”

Cruz faces Democratic U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke of El Paso in a fierce Texas-size election battle.

This fight for the U.S. Senate seat has become one of the costliest and most watched races across the country, as many wonder if O’Rourke can do what no other Democrat has done for more than two decades in Texas: win a statewide office.

Early voting for the Nov. 6 midterm election runs from Oct. 22-Nov. 2.

The restaurant incident had prompted several comments — including one from O’Rourke — on social media.

“Not right that Senator Cruz and his wife Heidi were surrounded and forced to leave a restaurant last night because of protesters,” he tweeted. “The Cruz family should be treated with respect.”

Conservative talk show host Mark Levin tweeted “leftwing thugs accost Ted and Heidi Cruz at DC restaurant. Truly reprehensible.”

Some conservatives are now calling for a boycott of the restaurant.

Read more here: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/state/texas/article218988045.html#storylink=cpy