Ted Cruz is the first candidate officially running for president in 2016.
“I’m running for President and I hope to earn your support!” Cruz announced on Twitter early Monday, a teaser to his official announcement planned at Liberty University in Virginia Monday.
I’m running for President and I hope to earn your support! pic.twitter.com/0UTqaIoytP
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 23, 2015
“I believe in America and her people, and I believe we can stand up and restore our promise,” the Texas Republican said in video released with his tweet. “It’s going to take a new generation of courageous conservatives to help make America great again, and I’m ready to stand with you to lead the fight.”
Cruz is the first White House hopeful to announce his run, bypassing launching an exploratory committee and jumping right into the race.
The Houston Chronicle reported late Saturday night the 44-year-old freshman senator would officially announce his presidential run at the Christian college on Monday.
He won’t be alone for long — former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio are all expected to jump into the race for the Republican presidential ticket as well.
A RealClearPolitics average of polls places Cruz eighth among 12 potential candidates, with 4.6 points. Bush and Walker are tied atop the poll with 16.6 points, followed by former neurologist and Conservative darling Ben Carson (10.6 points), former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (10.2), Rand Paul (8.4), New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (6.4) and Marco Rubio (5).
