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Ted Cruz Didn't Make A Splash In Cali

by Lauren Barbato

Sen. Ted Cruz may be out of the presidential race, but he was still listed on the ballot for California's primary on June 7. Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump easily won the Golden State, collecting all of California's 172 available delegates. California is a winner-take-all state for the Republican primary, which means no one else really stood a chance against Trump. Although he didn't win any delegates, Cruz received roughly 9 percent of the vote. Meanwhile, the unstoppable Trump received 75 percent of the vote, and collected all of California's coveted delegates.

It was no surprise that Trump, the only one left in the GOP race, would handily win California. The latest data tallied by Real Clear Politics showed that Trump was leading the Golden State with more than 56 percent of the vote. Cruz came in second with 17.7 percent of the vote, while Kasich trailed at 14.3 percent.

Cruz wasn't the only former GOP candidate on the California ballot. Ohio Gov. John Kasich, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, and former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore were also listed on Tuesday's ballot. Kasich received roughly 11 percent of the vote, and came in second to Trump.

Trump's big win in California Tuesday night sets the stage for this summer's Republican National Convention, where the billionaire business mogul is likely to receive the party's official nomination. Although Trump's performance in California was not unexpected, his ability to win the most populous state in America does seem to scream: "I'm the nominee. Deal with it."

Alex Wong/Getty Images News/Getty Images

But what about Cruz — is there any hope for the Texas senator? Many hoped this anti-establishment Republican would be the savoir for the Republican establishment. However, the rising political star's popularity has been on a considerable decline since he dropped out of the presidential race on May 3.

Cruz, too, seems unwilling to support Trump. On Monday, the senator called Trump's comments about U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who is of Mexican descent, "inappropriate." Cruz condemned Trump's anti-Latino remarks about Curiel, telling NBC News in an interview, "It's inappropriate to be attacking a federal judge's race or ethnicity. You're going to have to ask Donald to explain the reason he says the things he does. I'm not going to try to do so." Cruz has yet to endorse Trump for president, and has refused to say whether or not he would support Trump's presidential campaign and likely nomination.