50 Facts About Ted Cruz

Early Life and Education

Ted Cruz's journey began in Canada and quickly moved to Texas, where he would grow up and start his path toward becoming a prominent political figure.

1. Ted Cruz was born Rafael Edward Cruz on December 22, 1970, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
2. His parents are Eleanor Elizabeth Wilson and Rafael Bienvenido Cruz, a Cuban immigrant.
3. At the age of four, Cruz moved to the United States and grew up in Houston, Texas.
4. Cruz attended Second Baptist School in Houston, where he excelled academically.
5. He graduated from Princeton University in 1992, where he was a champion debater.
6. During his time at Princeton, he won the top speaker award at both the 1992 U.S. National Debating Championship and the 1992 North American Debating Championship.

Law School and Early Career

Cruz's academic prowess continued into law school, setting the stage for his future legal and political career.

7. Cruz earned his law degree from Harvard Law School, where he also edited the Harvard Law Review.
8. After law school, he served as a law clerk for an appeals court judge and later for Chief Justice William Rehnquist.
9. Before entering politics, Cruz practiced law in private practice.
10. He worked as a policy adviser for George W. Bush's presidential campaign in 1999.
11. Cruz was involved in the post-election recount of ballots in Florida.

Texas Solicitor General

Cruz's role as Texas Solicitor General marked a significant step in his career, showcasing his legal skills on a national stage.

12. In 2003, Cruz was appointed as the Solicitor General of Texas by then-Attorney General Greg Abbott.
13. At 32 years old, he became the youngest person to hold this position in the United States.
14. During his tenure, he argued nine cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, winning five and losing four.
15. He authored 70 U.S. Supreme Court briefs and presented 34 appellate oral arguments.

Political Stance and Actions

Cruz is known for his conservative views and willingness to take bold stances on various issues.

16. Cruz is a strict constructionist, believing judicial interpretation of the Constitution should be confined to a literal reading of the text.
17. He defended the constitutionality of a public monument featuring the Ten Commandments.
18. Cruz argued that international treaties are not binding on states until enacted by the U.S. Congress.
19. In 2013, Cruz played a leading role in the U.S. federal government shutdown.
20. He sought to force Congress and President Barack Obama to defund the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.
21. His 21-hour filibuster on the Senate floor included reading Dr. Seuss's "Green Eggs and Ham."

Senate Career

Cruz's Senate career has been marked by significant victories and notable challenges.

22. In 2012, Cruz ran for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison.
23. He won the Republican primary runoff against Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst by a significant margin.
24. Cruz then easily defeated his Democratic opponent, Paul Sadler, in the general election.
25. He attracted significant support from Tea Party organizations, the Club for Growth, and the Family Research Council.
26. Cruz won endorsements from Senators Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky, as well as former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

2016 Presidential Campaign

Cruz's bid for the presidency in 2016 showcased his national ambitions and political influence.

27. In March 2015, Cruz announced his candidacy for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination at Liberty University.
28. He emerged as a serious contender against front-runner Donald Trump.
29. Cruz suspended his campaign after a poor showing in the Indiana primary.
30. Despite initially refusing to endorse Trump after he won the nomination, Cruz became a strong supporter of Trump during his presidency.
31. He was involved in crafting major tax-reform legislation in 2017.
32. Cruz defended Trump during the 2019 impeachment proceedings.

Reelection and Partisanship

Cruz's reelection campaigns and his partisan stance have continued to shape his political career.

33. In 2018, Cruz faced a surprisingly strong challenge from Democratic candidate Beto O'Rourke.
34. Despite Trump's support, the race was highly contested, with Cruz ultimately winning by a narrow margin.
35. Cruz has been ranked one of the most partisan U.S. senators in modern history.
36. He has consistently voted against bipartisan legislation, including the CHIPS and Science Act, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
37. In 2021, Cruz objected to the certification of Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election.
38. Cruz is currently running for reelection to the Senate in 2024 against Democratic nominee Colin Allred and other third-party candidates.

Legislative Activity and Committee Work

Cruz's legislative efforts and committee assignments reflect his ongoing influence in the Senate.

39. Cruz has introduced several bills during his tenure, including legislation to establish an Air Force Technical Training Center of Excellence.
40. He has also proposed requiring benefit eligibility determinations to be made within a certain period of time.
41. Cruz has introduced legislation to repeal the natural gas tax.
42. He serves on several committees, including the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Personal Life and Public Image

Cruz's personal life and public image add another layer to his complex persona.

43. Cruz is married to Heidi Nelson Cruz, and they have two daughters, Caroline and Catherine.
44. He is known for his strong family values and often incorporates them into his political discourse.
45. In 2012, Time magazine reported that Cruz might have violated ethics rules by failing to publicly disclose his financial relationship with Caribbean Equity Partners Investment Holdings.
46. Cruz claimed the failure was inadvertent.
47. Cruz has a reputation as a firebrand, often taking bold and contentious positions on various issues.
48. His public image is complex, with some viewing him as a champion of conservative values and others seeing him as overly partisan.

Conservative Agenda and Social Issues

Cruz's conservative agenda and stance on social issues have defined much of his political career.

49. Cruz has consistently advocated for a smaller federal government, proposing the abolition of numerous agencies, including the Department of Education and the Internal Revenue Service.
50. He supports ending the corporate tax and introducing a flat tax.

Ted Cruz: A Complex Political Figure

Ted Cruz is a fascinating figure in American politics. Born in Canada, raised in Texas, and educated at Princeton and Harvard, he's got a unique background. Cruz's career includes a stint as Texas Solicitor General, where he argued before the Supreme Court, and a high-profile role in the 2013 government shutdown. Known for his conservative views, he's a staunch opponent of the Affordable Care Act and a strong supporter of gun rights. Cruz's 2016 presidential campaign showed his ability to mobilize conservative support, even if he didn't win. Despite controversies and a reputation for partisanship, Cruz remains a significant player in the Senate. His legislative efforts and public statements reflect his commitment to conservative values. As he runs for reelection in 2024, Cruz continues to be a prominent voice in the Republican Party.