Rafael Edward Cruz

Republican junior Senator of Texas

  • Senator

    Texas

    January 3, 2019 - January 3, 2025

6

Congresses Served

2

Senate Terms

January 1, 1970 (54 years old)

Birthday

  • Born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada to an American mother and a Cuban father
  • Graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School
  • Served as the Solicitor General of Texas from 2003 to 2008
  • Elected as the junior United States senator from Texas in 2012, becoming the first Hispanic-American to serve as a U.S. senator from Texas
  • Played a leading role in the 2013 United States federal government shutdown
  • Ran for President of the United States in the 2016 election
  • Initially declined to endorse Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election but later became a staunch supporter
  • Objected to the certification of Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election, citing false claims of election fraud
  • Running for reelection to the Senate in 2024
  • Has consistently conservative positions on economic and social policy
  • Opposes the Affordable Care Act and played a significant role in efforts to repeal it
  • Advocates for a strict interpretation of the Constitution and is a proponent of states’ rights
  • Strong supporter of the Second Amendment and gun rights
  • Opposes abortion and same-sex marriage
  • Critic of the scientific consensus on climate change and opposes net neutrality
  • Involved in foreign policy issues, particularly in opposition to the Iran nuclear deal and advocating for a strong stance against China and Russia