Ted Cruz silent on 2024 presidential bid as Republicans begin to line up
Rachel Schilke
Video Embed
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is keeping any intention to run for president in 2024 under the radar as his party begins lining up a host of likely candidates ready to take on the Democrats for the White House.
Cruz, who was the first Republican to announce his candidacy for president in 2016, can technically run for his Senate seat and president at the same time. However, Cruz is eyeing the Senate as the more important “battlefield right now,” he told Politico.
FIVE REPUBLICANS TEASING 2024 PRESIDENTIAL BIDS
“I have no doubt that Democrats will dump a whole lot of money into it,” Cruz said of his Senate race. “In 2018, it was the most expensive Senate race in U.S. history. … And there are a lot of national Democrats who want to do everything they can to try to defeat me. I don’t think they’re going to succeed.”
Cruz defeated former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) in 2018 by a narrow margin of 2.6 points. Combined, the two candidates raised close to $115 million. Democrats may throw extra weight behind the Texas Senate race in 2024, as the Lone Star State may be one of the only pick-up opportunities for the party currently in control of the Senate. Republicans face a much easier path to victory in the coming cycle, having to defend just 10 seats compared to the 22 that Democrats are attempting to hold on to.
Many Republican senators have been coy about whether they are planning to run for reelection or if they are setting their sights on higher office. Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Josh Hawley (R-MO), both rumored to be presidential candidates at one time, have stated they will run for reelection in the Senate.
A senior adviser to Cruz told Politico that Cruz plans to announce his reelection run in the first half of 2023.
However, if Cruz decides to opt not to hold on to his Senate seat and throws his name in for president, he could join the already growing list of Republicans reportedly set to begin a contest against former President Donald Trump, who announced his bid for president last year.
However, former Gov. Nikki Haley (R-SC) is reportedly announcing her candidacy on Feb. 15. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has also been widely discussed as a top 2024 contender, so much so that Trump has not been silent about criticizing DeSantis, calling him “DeSanctimonious” and taking credit for the governor’s successes in Florida.
“So when I hear he might run, I consider that very disloyal,” Trump said.
Other names floating around for the 2024 GOP candidate include Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD), former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Gov. Chris Sununu (R-NH).
If the GOP selects a candidate other than Trump, the party could face an uphill battle if the former president decides to run as a third-party candidate. More than a quarter of Republican voters said they would vote for Trump even if he weren’t the GOP nominee, which could severely split the GOP electorate and weaken its chances of taking back the White House.
Several candidates seem to be lying in wait to assess Trump’s true strength. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) suggested that Cruz could be among those who let things play out for now and will make their call on whether to run later.
Cruz “has a lot of support, he’s a strong conservative voice in the body,” Graham said. “I think he’d be one of the people who will sort of look and see how Trump does and see what happens.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
However, Cruz called the 2024 presidential cycle “unusual” because “neither side has any idea who their nominee will be.”
“I don’t think Joe Biden’s going to run,” Cruz said. “Donald Trump has announced he’s running. I think it’s clear there are a number of people who are preparing to jump in, and I don’t know what will happen in that race. I feel confident it won’t be boring.”