AUSTIN – Republican Party of Texas (RPT) Chairman Steve Munisteri issued the following statement to Texas Republicans:

"This past Tuesday, the Republican Party of Texas experienced the most spirited runoff that I have seen in my 40 years of involvement with the party. The turnout was phenomenal, with over 1.1 million Republican voters casting their ballots in this election. This is nearly twice as many voters as who voted in the March 2006 Primary. The voter turnout is especially impressive when you consider that the runoff was held on July 31st, and in the past Texas has had April runoffs."

"As I noted during my address to the 2010 Texas GOP Convention, 'our differences are insignificant to the duty that we have to our country.' Sometimes during intraparty contests, differences between competing Republicans can seem wide. In reality, there can be little doubt that Ted Cruz's positions on the issues are far closer to those Republicans who did not vote for him on Tuesday, than the differences between those voters and the Democratic nominee."

"Now that a couple of days have gone by since this spirited election and the dust has begun to settle – I wish to issue a call for unity among Texas Republicans. I think it is very important that for everyone whose original choice was to support one of the other eight candidates, to now support our Party's nominee, Ted Cruz, and to support him with the same vigor and commitment that they provided their original choice."

"There is no doubt in my mind that Ted Cruz will be an exceptional U.S. Senator, who will not only well represent the principles of the Party, but who will instill enthusiasm up and down the ticket. I implore all Republicans to immediately contact the Cruz campaign to volunteer, contribute their dollars, and to spread the word on his behalf."

"On a personal note, I have worked in over 60 campaigns over 40 years, and have probably been involved in more campaigns that have lost than have won. I know what it is like to lose as both a candidate and as a supporter. It is never fun. However, I can also say without reservation – that every time my candidate has lost the primary, I have wholeheartedly supported the Republican nominee and I have always felt that this is the right thing to do."

"Now is the time for us all to work together to not only elect Ted Cruz to the U.S. Senate, but to work for the election of the entire Republican ticket. And most importantly – to replace Barack Obama in the White House."