Ted Cruz left hanging out to dry by allies after Cancun vacation debacle

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) sparked a media firestorm on Thursday, Feb. 18, after he allegedly abandoned the state of Texas to vacation in Caucun, Mexico one day prior. Photos capturing Cruz at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport quickly began circulating on social media and outrage ensued. Now, the Texas Republican Party is also distancing from Cruz.

When asked about Cruz's debacle, Republican Party Chairman Allen West steered clear of speaking publicly about the situation pivoting to highlight his main focus right now: the massive power outage across the state of Texas.

"That's something that he has to answer to his constituents about," West said to the Associated Press, according to Talking Points Memo. "I'm here trying to take care of my family and look after my friends and others that are still without power," West said. "That's my focus."

Like West, many Republican lawmakers in the state of Texas have remained mum on Cruz's actions, which have been deeply criticized by Texans and others witnessing the havoc taking place in the Lone Star state. To make matters worse, amid scrutiny, Cruz decided to fly back to Texas on Thursday, Feb. 18 and the controversial excuse he gave for the trip has only led to more criticism.

The Republican lawmaker claimed he went on the trip "wanting to be a good dad" as he insisted that his staff was "in constant communication" with local leaders working to resolve the power outage issues.

"With school canceled for the week, our girls asked to take a trip with friends. Wanting to be a good dad. I flew down with them last night and am flying back this afternoon," Cruz said. "My staff and I are in constant communication with state and local leaders to get to the bottom of what happened in Texas."

However, newly leaked text messages offer more context into the planning details of the trip to Cancun. According to Business Insider, it appears the trip was suggested as a means of the Republican senator and his family escaping the bitterly cold weather.

One of the text messages said, "Is everyone warm? That's a must! We could all huddle in one house, [name's] had heat," the text said. "Anyone can or want to leave for the week? We may go to Cancun, there is a direct flight at 445pm and hotels with capacity. Seriously."

Cruz's actions have led to calls for his resignation from Congress.