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Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz is a Republican United States senator from Texas who has served in the Senate since 2013.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ted Cruz is a Republican United States senator from Texas who has served in the Senate since 2013. Born in Calgary, Alberta, he is a lawyer and former solicitor general of Texas who also ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.

Early life and education

Ted Cruz was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and later studied at Princeton University and Harvard Law School. He went on to work in law and politics before entering elected office.

Before joining the Senate, Cruz served in several legal and policy roles, including solicitor general of Texas. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2012 and has represented Texas since 2013.

2016 presidential campaign

Cruz sought the Republican nomination for president in 2016. His campaign made him a major national figure in U.S. conservative politics.

Senate tenure

Cruz has been one of Texas’s U.S. senators since 2013. He was reelected in 2018 and 2024 and has been associated with conservative policy positions.

Key facts

  • Elected to the U.S. Senate from Texas in 2012 and first took office in 2013.
  • Served as solicitor general of Texas from 2003 to 2008.
  • Ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.
  • Was reelected to the Senate in 2018 and 2024.
  • Born in Canada, in Calgary, Alberta.
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Canadian context

Ted Cruz was born in Calgary, Alberta, which is often noted in Canadian coverage and in discussions of his eligibility for the U.S. presidency.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ted Cruz?
Ted Cruz is a Republican U.S. senator from Texas and a lawyer who has served in the Senate since 2013.
Where was Ted Cruz born?
He was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
What did Ted Cruz do before the Senate?
He worked as a lawyer and served as solicitor general of Texas from 2003 to 2008.
Did Ted Cruz run for president?
Yes. He ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.
When was Ted Cruz first elected to the Senate?
He was first elected in 2012 and began serving in 2013.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ted-Cruz
    Supports: Birthplace, Senate election, presidential run, reelection, political description.
  2. Congress.gov — https://www.congress.gov/member/ted-cruz/C001098
    Supports: Senate service, party, and official congressional record.
  3. Office of Senator Ted Cruz — https://www.cruz.senate.gov/about-ted
    Supports: Education, Senate service, and biography details.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Cruz
    Supports: Solicitor general role, education, 2016 campaign, and Senate career timeline.