Rafael Edward "Ted" Cruz was born on December 22, 1970, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to Eleanor Elizabeth Wilson and Rafael Cruz. His mother, an American from Delaware, and his father, a Cuban immigrant, were working in the oil industry in Canada at the time of his birth. The family moved to Houston, Texas, when Cruz was a child. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen and has been a prominent figure in American politics, known for his conservative stance and active role in the Republican Party.

Education and Political Experience

• Education:

  • Graduated as valedictorian from Second Baptist High School in Houston in 1988.
  • Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from Princeton University in 1992.
  • Obtained a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1995.

• Legal Career:

  • Clerked for Chief Justice William Rehnquist of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1996 to 1997.
  • Served as Solicitor General of Texas from 2003 to 2008, arguing nine cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

• Political Experience:

  • Elected as U.S. Senator from Texas in 2012; re-elected in 2018 and 2024.
  • Ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, winning 12 states and receiving over 7.8 million votes.

Notable Achievements and Positions

• Legislation:

  • Sponsored bills to repeal the Affordable Care Act and to increase coal, natural gas, and crude oil exports.
  • Advocated for the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline and the expansion of oil drilling.

• Committee Assignments:

  • Serves on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Committee on Foreign Relations; Committee on the Judiciary; and the Joint Economic Committee.

• Political Positions:

  • Known for his staunch conservative views, including opposition to the Affordable Care Act, support for gun rights, and skepticism of climate change.
  • Played a leading role in the 2013 government shutdown, advocating for the defunding of the Affordable Care Act.

• Recent Election:

  • Re-elected to a third term in the U.S. Senate in 2024, defeating Democratic opponent Colin Allred.

Throughout his career, Senator Cruz has been a prominent figure in American politics, known for his conservative principles and active role in shaping national policy.