Yes. Sorry, I wasn't as clear as I should have been. I meant would the GOP just name a candidate to run in Cruz's place in November, since we already had the primary and I would assume we wouldn't hold another. Of course Abbott would name someone to finish out Cruz's term.Cruz would be required to step down from the Senate prior to going through the Senate confirmation process. It would be a doozie, that's for sure. As far as a replacement in the Senate, that would be an issue for the State of Texas to deal with, NOT the GOP. The 17th Amendment provides (in pertinent part):
"When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct."
I guess I'm concerned we'd have another Roy Moore type fiasco, where we lose Cruz in the Senate, he doesn't get confirmed, and the Democrat sneaks in and takes the seat. The worst of all worlds.