In a state where the average household income was $56,565 according to the latest statistics, a complaint about your spouse's $174,000 income plus full benefits would not go over well. But Texas Senator Ted Cruz's wife Heidi Cruz stated as such in an interview with The Atlantic.
The Senator's wife complained that her hefty salary and benefits as managing director of Goldman Sachs in Houston combined with the $174,000 her husband makes as a United States Senator was insufficient. Mrs. Cruz is the family breadwinner according to The Atlantic article.
And although the article does not specify her full salary and benefits package, it is more than $174,000 per year. That puts their household income at a minimum at $350,000 or over six times more than the average Texan.
But why is Senator Cruz's salary not good enough according to his breadwinner wife?
In her interview with The Atlantic, Heidi Cruz stated:
"...it does take some supportiveness, you know. Six to seven years in it, with me being the primary breadwinner...Yeah, we’re seven years into this, and we’re not buying a second home anytime soon."
Cruz—who lives in a home described as "palatial" by The Atlantic—drew heavy criticism for her comment. For many of her husband's constituents in Texas, even a first home is well beyond their reach.
People called out the article as propaganda for Cruz in his bid for reelection against the more charismatic Representative Beto O'Rourke.
People criticized Cruz for what they deemed her entitled attitude.
The phrase "White privilege" came up over and over.
People had a hard time feeling sorry for Heidi and Ted Cruz.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz squares off against Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke in the 2018 midterms. Midterm elections are slated for Tuesday, November 6, 2018.
