Biography
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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Committee Assignments:
- Serves on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Committee on Foreign Relations; Committee on the Judiciary; and the Joint Economic Committee.
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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.
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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.
