Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz launches presidential bid

WASHINGTON (TNS) — Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is running for president, he announced on Twitter.

The ambitious lawmaker’s intentions were no surprise. An aide had confirmed Sunday that Cruz would announce his 2016 White House run on Monday at Liberty University, the conservative university founded by the Rev. Jerry Falwell.

Cruz tipped his hand even earlier.

Shortly after midnight Sunday, he tweeted: “I’m running for president and I hope to earn your support!”

In an accompanying video, Cruz said, “It’s going to take a new generation of courageous conservatives to help make America great again. I’m ready to stand with you to lead the fight.”

Cruz becomes the first high-profile Republican to formally enter the 2016 contest. Several other hopefuls are reportedly planning announcements for next month, as is Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The Houston Chronicle first reported Cruz’s plan, which was confirmed by a strategist close to him, who spoke before the official announcement on condition of anonymity.

The Texas senator trails several other potential Republican candidates in early polling, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and two ?Senate colleagues, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Marco Rubio of Florida.

Cruz, 44, has tense relations with the party establishment and Senate leadership, whose legislative plans he often complicates. But he has an ardent following in the conservative wing of the party, and is likely to be a significant force in the primaries.