Texas Sen. Ted Cruz earned the praise of some fierce Democratic detractors this week when he opted to stop at a Fort Worth demonstration and talk to those protesting. The group of about a dozen individuals toting signs critical of Donald Trump’s education secretary nominee caught Cruz’s attention as he made his way to catch a flight to D.C. Local Democratic Party leader Leah Payne said she was “surprised” by the conservative senator’s willingness to interact personally with protesters.