Presidential hopeful Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzSenate Republicans face tough decision on replacing Ginsburg Cruz: Trump should nominate a Supreme Court justice next week Renewed focus on Trump's Supreme Court list after Ginsburg's death MORE got the cold shoulder from a room of 800 Republicans at the New York City GOP gala Thursday night, receiving little interaction from the audience as he went through his usual stump speech.

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Cruz, who followed speeches from rivals Donald Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE and John Kasich, began by making a joke at Trump’s expense that fell flat.

“I haven’t built any buildings in New York City, but I have spent my entire life fighting to defend the Constitution and the Bill of Rights,” the Texas senator said, taking a shot at the GOP front-runner who, just moments before, spent the majority of his speech talking about his New York real estate successes.

Media at the scene reported guests walking around and talking during Cruz’s address.

Reaction at #nygop dinner to Cruz is embarrassing for both Cruz and the guests. Folks walking around, chatting w/ each other as he speaks. — Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) April 15, 2016

Cruz has had a tough time campaigning in New York, in part due to comments he made about “New York values” that some saw as disparaging toward the city.

Polls show the senator lagging substantially behind Trump, a native New Yorker. Trump leads Cruz by a staggering 36 points, according to a RealClearPolitics average of polls. Kasich takes, second with 22 percent support, compared to Trump’s 54 percent and Cruz’s 18 percent.

The gala comes before next week’s critical New York primary, where the three GOP candidates will compete for a share of the state’s 95 delegates.