Former 2016 presidential candidate Ted Cruz filed papers on Wednesday to run for re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2018.
A letter from Cruz’s campaign assistant treasurer to the Federal Election Commission reads:
Effective May 4, 2016, Senator Ted Cruz is no longer a candidate for President of the United States. As of that date, his 2018 campaign for the United States Senate and his campaign committee Ted Cruz for Senate have been reactivated.
“Heidi and I feel incredibly privileged to have made the run for president and be part of an incredible grassroots movement,” Cruz says. “I will continue fighting for jobs, freedom, and security in the Senate for 27 million Texans and all Americans across this great country. The conservative movement remains strong and vibrant. When conservatives are united, we are far more effective.”
Cruz suspended his campaign for President after losing to frontrunner Donald Trump in Indiana on May 3. Following his departure from the race Trump called Cruz, “one hell of a competitor, he is a tough, smart guy and he has got an amazing future.” He said of Cruz’s decision to suspend, “What Ted Cruz did is really a very brave thing to do and a great thing to do, because we want to bring unity.”
One response from Cruz on a Tuesday radio program ignited the question whether Cruz could re-enter the race. However Cruz also said in that interview that he wasn’t holding his breath for a change in a path to the nomination.
As Cruz returned to the Senate that day he vowed to continue the movement that began along the presidential campaign trail. He made the priorities of jobs, freedom and security his message along the trail. “I will continue fighting for those priorities, jobs and freedom and security from the United States Senate.”
Later the same day Trump secured wins in both of the day’s Republican primaries in Nebraska and West Virginia.
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