Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz the first candidate for president campaign 2016
. Ted Cruz United States Senator from Texas Incumbent Assumed office January 3, 2013 Serving with John Cornyn Preceded by Kay Bailey Hutchison Solicitor General of Texas In office January 9, 2003 – May 12, 2008 Governor Rick Perry Preceded by Julie Parsley Succeeded by James Ho Personal details Born Rafael Edward Cruz [1] December 22, 1970 (age 44) Calgary , Alberta , Canada Political party Republican Spouse(s) Heidi Suzanne Nelson Children 2 Alma mater Princeton University ( A.B. , 1992) Harvard Law School ( J.D. , 1995) Religion Southern Baptist [2] Website Senate website U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex) speaks at the winter meeting of the free market Club for Growth winter economic conference at the Breakers Hotel Thursday, Feb. 27, 2015,