Ted Cruz

U.S. Senator from Texas

2%±0

Chance of winning the 2028 Republican nomination, 4th among the contenders we track. Kalshi 2% · Polymarket 2%

Markets: Kalshi · Polymarket

Background

A former Texas solicitor general who argued cases before the Supreme Court, Cruz won his Senate seat in 2012. He finished second to Donald Trump in the 2016 Republican primaries after winning the Iowa caucuses.

Born: December 22, 1970 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (age 55)
Home state: Texas
Education: Princeton University; Harvard Law School

Career

U.S. Senator from Texas (2013–)
Solicitor General of Texas (2003–2008)

Notable record

Won the 2016 Iowa caucuses and finished second for the nomination
Spoke for 21 hours on the Senate floor against the Affordable Care Act (2013)
Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee since 2025

Other Republican contenders

Facts as of November 5, 2026. Photo via Wikimedia Commons. Spot an error? Tell us. See all candidates or the 2028 forecast.