Ted Cruz is an American politician and attorney who has served as the junior United States Senator from Texas since 2013. He is a member of the Republican Party and was a candidate for the party's presidential nomination in the 2016 election. Cruz is known for his strong conservative views and has been involved in various legislative efforts, particularly in areas like healthcare and immigration. Born on December 22, 1970, in Calgary, Canada, Cruz moved to the United States as a child. He graduated from Princeton University and earned his law degree from Harvard Law School. Before entering politics, he worked as a lawyer and served as the Solicitor General of Texas.