Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) declared he will run for reelection in 2024 but said he may decide to run for president.
The Texas Republican made his remarks before the annual gathering of the Republican Jewish Coalition, according to a Washington Examiner report. The annual meeting is considered the unofficial beginning of the campaign to find a Republican nominee for president.
The get-together was conducted four days after former President Donald Trump announced his third presidential campaign.
Coalition members warmly received Sen. Cruz, according to the Examiner report. Cruz concluded by remarking about the closeness of his 2018 reelection before asking for contributions to his Senate campaign.
During a subsequent news conference, Cruz confirmed he is seeking a third term in the Senate.
“I’m running for reelection in the Senate,” Cruz confirmed in a press conference after the annual event. “I’m focused on the battles in the United States Senate. We need to stand and fight against these policies that are inflicting so much harm on Americans across this country.”
While he did not say he would run for president in the next general election, he did not close the door on the idea.
“You can consider whatever you like,” Cruz responded to questioning if running for reelection to the Senate took his hat out of the 2024 presidential race.
“There will be plenty of time to discuss 2024 presidential,” he continued. “I get that that is a lot of fun in the media to do. There will be plenty of time for that.”
The senator described the experience or running for the GOP presidential nomination as among the most fun he has ever had in his life, other than losing, the report noted. Cruz reportedly added that Republicans historically choose the runner-up the next time the party holds an open primary.
Even if that is true, the declaration of Trump’s candidacy throws a monkey wrench in any plans the senator may have about running for president.
The Texas Senator previously declared he would reserve his decision until Trump announced his intentions regarding the 2024 presidential race. He indicated he was in no hurry to scrap with the former president again.
Trump made his White House plans official in a Tuesday speech from Mar-a-Lago.
“In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States,” Trump announced, according to a CNN report.
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