In 2005, Cruz was Texas Solicitor General (appointed by the Texas Attorney General). Very few people other than lawyers had ever heard of him. The first time he ran for public office was when he ran for Senate in 2012. If he publicly supported Roberts, no one would have ever heard of it.
In fairness to those who actually did support Roberts, he was better than Bush’s first pick, Harriet Miers. All of the Republicans on the Senate voted for him and most of the Democrats voted against him, because everyone thought he would be conservative.
What was the deal with her? Can't recall. Memory fades...
Now I recall, she withdrew....