Rafael Edward "Ted" Cruz is the junior U.S. Senator from Texas. A brilliant, Princeton and Harvard-educated appellate lawyer, Cruz has built his political brand on aggressive, unyielding constitutional conservatism and a legendary willingness to antagonize both Democrats and the establishment wing of his own party. He first rose to national prominence during the Tea Party wave of 2012 and fiercely challenged Donald Trump for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. After securing a narrow re-election victory in 2024 against Democrat Colin Allred, Cruz entered the 119th Congress as a senior, highly entrenched conservative operator. He serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, giving him massive oversight over tech regulation, aviation, and space policy. Known for his devastating debate skills, Cruz frequently uses committee hearings to ruthlessly interrogate Biden/Trump administration appointees and tech CEOs, producing viral clips that fuel his massive national fundraising network.