In an apparent attempt to downplay Governor Rick Perry’s role in the Lone Star State’s booming economy, Texas Ted Cruz recently said, “There isn’t a politician in this country who’s responsible for the economic growth we have.”

Cruz targeted Perry in front of a crowd in Austin, Texas over the weekend, according to the Dallas Morning News.

“The economic growth has come from the private sector, it’s come from entrepreneurs,” the junior senator said. “Nothing drives me crazier than politicians who run around talking about the jobs they’ve created. Politicians are very good at killing jobs, but they don’t create jobs.”

Cruz credited Perry for promoting “laws that create an environment that allow small businesses to prosper and flourish, for not screwing up.” He was quick to add, however, “We should all be very clear. The jobs are not created by politicians. They are created by the private sector.”

Texas has experienced record job growth and been ranked the most business-friendly state in the nation while Perry has been in office.  Low taxes, modest government spending, and predictable regulation have helped make the Lone Star State an ideal environment in which to start and grow businesses.

Since the new year, the governor has travelled to numerous U.S. cities to speak about the pro-business policies he has instated and their positive effects on Texas-based companies. Breitbart Texas reported on one such trip in April, when Perry met with business leaders in New York City.

Perry told Breitbart Texas during a related interview, “The key to our state’s success has been simple. We have a regulatory climate that is fair and predictable, a legal system that doesn’t allow for over-suing, and we’ve continued to appropriately fund those good public schools.”

Cruz’s recent remarks in Austin likely indicate that he is gearing up for a presidential run. He will be Perry’s opponent if they both decide to make a bid for the White House in 2016. 

Kristin Tate is a writer from the original Breitbart Texas team. Follow her on Twitter @KristinBTate.