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Ted Cruz Confirms 2024 Senate Bid, Leaves Door Open For Possible Presidential Run

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OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.


Sen. Ted Cruz has revealed his plans for 2024 and beyond.

The Texas Republican said over the weekend that he plans to run for reelection in the Lone Star state in two years, but he is still keeping his presidential ambitions open less than a week after former President Donald Trump announced his intent to seek the 2024 GOP nomination.

Cruz, who was reportedly well received at the event, made his remarks at the annual conference of the Republican Jewish Coalition, which traditionally has marked the beginning of the GOP nomination process. The announcement came four days after Trump said he would run again.

He finished his speech by discussing his tough 2018 reelection battle and sought donations for his 2024 reelection bid, the Washington Examiner reported.

In a press conference following his speech, Cruz reiterated that he would seek a third Senate term.

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“I’m running for reelection in the Senate. I’m focused on the battles in the United States Senate,” Cruz told reporters. “We need to stand and fight against these policies that are inflicting so much harm on Americans across this country.”

But at the same time, he did not entirely rule out a presidential run.

“You can consider whatever you like,” Cruz said after a reporter asked if running for reelection means he shouldn’t be considered a presidential contender any longer. “There will be plenty of time to discuss 2024 presidential. I get that that is a lot of fun in the media to do. There will be plenty of time for that.”

Cruz managed to finish second behind Trump in 2016, as both emerged from a crowded GOP field that included former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who failed to gain traction among the Republican electorate despite his campaign spending $130 million.

The Examiner noted further:

The senator has described the experience as among the most fun he has ever had in his life, other than losing, and Republicans have a history of picking the runner-up the next time the party holds an open primary. Those two factors would suggest a Cruz presidential campaign is in the offing. But Trump’s decision to run has complicated the senator’s plans.

For several months, Cruz has said he would make no decision until he knew what Trump was going to do, signaling he was not in a hurry to engage in another fight for the nomination with the former president. Trump made his White House plans official on Tuesday evening in a speech from Mar-a-Lago, his residence and private social club in Palm Beach, Florida.

President Joe Biden appears set to run again in 2024 despite having turned 80 on Sunday and increased questions about his mental capacity.

Trump made his announcement during a speech at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Tuesday.

“America’s comeback starts right now,” Trump said to a room full of supporters. “Unlike other presidents, I kept my promises.”

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“The world was at peace, America was prospering, and our country was on track for an amazing future— because I made big promises to the American People and, unlike other Presidents, I kept my promises,” he said. “Under our leadership, we were a great and glorious nation, something you haven’t heard for quite a long period of time. We were a strong nation, and importantly we were a free nation. Now, we are a nation in decline. We are a failing nation.”

Trump declared: “I am tonight again announcing my candidacy for President of the United States.”

When asked by reporters who he would pick as his running mate, Trump said, “I’ll let you know very soon.”

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One name that has risen to the top of the list in recent months is Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York.

In a September Foreign Policy story titled, “Elise Stefanik Is Most Likely to Succeed,” the authors detail, “A young woman once hailed as the future of the Republican Party embraces Trumpism to stay that way.”

Meanwhile, in late May, CNN published a report speculating that Stefanik is likely a frontrunner.

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