| | Cruz's father was a political prisoner in [[Cuba]] before escaping to the United States. Cruz's mother is American. Cruz was born in Alberta, [[Canada]]; then the family moved to Texas. Cruz is a Southern [[Baptist]], married with two children. | | Cruz's father was a political prisoner in [[Cuba]] before escaping to the United States. Cruz's mother is American. Cruz was born in Alberta, [[Canada]]; then the family moved to Texas. Cruz is a Southern [[Baptist]], married with two children. |
| − | Cruz carriess the backing of the [[Tea Party movement]], [[Tea Party Express]], [[Club for Growth]], [[FreedomWorks]], the [[Family Research Council]], Erick Erickson of [[RedState]], [[Mark Levin]], Senator [[Jim DeMint]], Senator [[Rand Paul]], Senator [[Pat Toomey]], and former Alaska Governor [[Sarah Palin]]. | + | Cruz has been supported by the [[Tea Party movement]], [[Tea Party Express]], [[Club for Growth]], [[FreedomWorks]], the [[Family Research Council]], Erick Erickson of [[RedState]], [[Mark Levin]], Senator [[Jim DeMint]], Senator [[Rand Paul]], Senator [[Pat Toomey]], and former Alaska Governor [[Sarah Palin]]. |
| − | In the Texas Senate primary elections of May 29, 2012, Cruz forced a runoff with Lieutenant Governor [[David Dewhurst]]. The pair emerged from a nine-candidate Republican field and squared-off in a second round of voting on July 31. Cruz emerged victorious defeating Dewhurst. Cruz defeated Democrat former State Representative Paul Sadler in the general election. | + | In the Texas Senate primary elections of May 29, 2012, Cruz forced a runoff with Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst. The pair emerged from a nine-candidate Republican field and squared-off in a second round of voting on July 31. Cruz emerged victorious defeating Dewhurst. Cruz easily defeated Democrat former State Representative Paul Sadler in the general election. |