Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz is an American politician and attorney serving as the junior United States Senator from Texas since 2013. A member of the Republican Party, he was a candidate for President of the United States in the 2016 Republican primaries, finishing second to Donald Trump. Known for his staunch conservative views, Cruz has been a prominent and often polarizing figure in national politics, frequently aligning with the Tea Party movement.

Early Life and Education

Rafael Edward Cruz was born in Calgary, Alberta, to Eleanor Darragh and Rafael Cruz, who had emigrated from Cuba to Texas. He spent his early childhood in Calgary before his family moved to Houston. Cruz attended Faith West Academy and later graduated as valedictorian from Second Baptist High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University, where he was a national champion on the American Whig-Cliosophic Society's debate team. Cruz then attended Harvard Law School, graduating *magna cum laude* and serving as primary editor of the Harvard Law Review.

Career

After law school, Cruz served as a law clerk to J. Michael Luttig on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and then for William Rehnquist, the Chief Justice of the United States. He worked in the administration of President George W. Bush, including as an associate deputy attorney general at the United States Department of Justice. Cruz later served as the Solicitor General of Texas from 2003 to 2008, arguing multiple cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. He subsequently worked in private practice at the law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law.

Senate Career

Cruz was elected to the United States Senate in 2012, defeating the Democratic nominee Paul Sadler. He quickly gained national attention for his role in the 2013 government shutdown, spearheading a filibuster-like speech against the Affordable Care Act. In the Senate, he serves on several committees, including the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on the Judiciary. He has been a leading voice on issues such as gun rights, religious liberty, and opposition to illegal immigration, often clashing with members of both parties.

Presidential Campaigns

Cruz launched his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in March 2015 at Liberty University. He won primaries and caucuses in states including Iowa, Texas, and Wisconsin, emerging as the principal rival to Donald Trump. After suspending his campaign following a loss in the Indiana primary, he initially declined to endorse Trump at the Republican National Convention but later did so. Cruz ran for re-election to the Senate in 2018, defeating Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke in a closely watched race. He was considered a potential candidate in the 2024 Republican primaries but declined to run.

Political Positions

Cruz is a leading figure in the conservative movement, advocating for limited government, free-market principles, and a strict interpretation of the United States Constitution. He is a vocal opponent of abortion and was a key supporter of the confirmation of justices like Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States. On foreign policy, he has taken a hardline stance against Iran and has been a strong supporter of Israel. He has championed school choice initiatives and been a critic of what he terms "cancel culture." Cruz has also been a prominent skeptic of climate change science and opposed U.S. participation in the Paris Agreement.

Personal Life

Cruz married Heidi Cruz (née Nelson) in 2001; she is a former investment banker and worked in the Bush administration. They have two daughters and reside in Houston. Cruz is a practicing Southern Baptist. He is a member of the United States Navy Reserve, holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander. An avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers, he has authored several books, including *A Time for Truth* and *One Vote Away*. Category:United States senators from Texas Category:Republican Party United States senators Category:Harvard Law School alumni