Attendees at the annual New York State Republican gala were more interested in consuming their dinner Thursday night than listening to Ted Cruz address the audience.
The three remaining Republican presidential candidates gave remarks to hundreds of guests at the Manhattan event. GOP front-runner Donald Trump spoke first, followed by Ohio Gov. John Kasich before finally Cruz took the stage.
While some guests remained seated during the introduction of the New York businessman, who leads the race with a 30-point margin, Cruz received the worst reception.
Guests could even be heard on livestreamed footage poking around with knives and forks as they picked apart their dinners as the Texas senator spoke. Cruz focused on many of the policies — immigration, national security, jobs — that he has also addressed at campaign rallies.
Members of the audience also walked around the large room at the Grand Hyatt in midtown Manhattan as the tuxedo-adorned speaker shared his vision for America.
Cruz may have expected that kind of unwelcoming environment after he criticized New Yorkers for their values. Kasich, ranked second in the Empire State primary, was also ignored by some attendees.
