Rafael Edward Cruz
Republican junior Senator of Texas
Senator
Texas
January 3, 2013 - January 3, 2019
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