It’s Official: Ted Cruz is Running for President

It’s official: Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is running for President in 2016. He made the announcement on his Twitter account:

The tweet included a short 30 second video with Cruz narrating, saying that it was “a time for truth, a time to rise to the challenge, just as Americans have always done.”

“I believe in America and her people, and I believe we can stand up and restore her promise,” Cruz continues. “It’s going to take a new generation of courageous conservatives to help make America great again, and I’m ready to stand with you to lead the fight.”

As Breitbart Texas reported, Cruz teased the news with a tweet posted just after 7:00 p.m. Central Time, writing that around midnight — presumably Eastern Time — “there will be some news you won’t want to miss.” The Senator also made a similar comment in his appearance on the Breitbart News Sunday program on SiriusXM Patriot.

This makes Cruz the first Republican candidate to throw his hat in the ring. As Breitbart Texas reported, Cruz opted to go ahead and officially launch a presidential campaign, rather than continue to promote his activities through his leadership PAC or through an exploratory committee. Senior advisers close to Cruz had told the Houston Chronicle that the Senator was done “exploring” and wanted to get the campaign officially started.

Cruz is scheduled to make his official announcement speech at 9:00 a.m. Central Time/10:00 a.m. Eastern Time Monday, March 23 at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Monday’s date marks both the fifth anniversary of when President Barack Obama signed Obamacare into law, and the 240th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me liberty, or give me death!” speech to the 1775 Virginia Convention.

Breitbart Texas will livestream Cruz’s speech, and continue to follow this story.

Follow Sarah Rumpf on Twitter: @rumpfshaker.