Is it getting more difficult for Republicans to win elections or is it pretty much still a given? I have no idea the margin by which Cruz won.
Texas is a well run state mainly to the extent that government stays the heck out of it, and power is widely dispersed and limited.
It's almost impossible to get anything done in Texas government unless EVERYONE really wants it to happen.
It doesn't take many to block a good thing (like Constitutional Carry) that lots of folks want.
/johnny