Election 2016 Polls: Sen. Ted Cruz '90 Percent' Running for President, Says 'Adviser' But Denies Claim on Social Media
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has denied claims he's running for U.S. president in 2016, despite reports stating otherwise.
On social media, Cruz issued a statement that he and his wife have not made any political decisions that may occur after November's midterm election. Cruz does not face reelection this year.
"Contrary to media reports this morning, Heidi and I have not made any decisions about political plans past the mid-term elections," Cruz said on Facebook. "Clearly we have an overzealous supporter out there making freelance comments, but to be clear, no decision has been made. Whoever this 'anonymous adviser' was, he or she had no authority to speak, and doesn't know what they're talking about."
Cruz's comment comes after an "adviser" of the Republican Texas senator said, "At this point it's 90/10 he's in. And honestly, 90 is lowballing it."
According to the National Journal, Cruz has been dedicating time to improve his foreign policy experience in order to help his potential presidential candidacy. Cruz has also visited states with important midterm election races such as New Hampshire, stumping for GOP House candidate Marilinda Garcia. Cruz has reportedly hired consultants with national campaigning experience and contacts in "early nominating states."
Polling data, however, has not shown Cruz leading against fellow Republicans or against 2008 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
New Hampshire is among the early states with presidential primaries in 2016. Based on a CNN and ORC International poll, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was the top choice to vote for the Republican presidential primary. While Paul received 15 percent, Cruz placed ninth with 6 percentage points behind former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (10 percent), Wisconsin Sen. Paul Ryan (10 percent), New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (9 percent), Texas Gov. Rick Perry (9 percent), Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has hinted at a second bid for U.S. president. In the swing state of North Carolina, Clinton polled 8 percentage points better than Cruz. According to Public Policy Polling, Clinton received 48 percent to Cruz's 40 percent, while 12 percent were not sure. Clinton also won the poll against Christie and Paul. She lost the poll to Bush and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckebee by 2 and 1 percentage points, respectively.
Despite trailing in polling data, Cruz won the presidential straw poll at Values Voter Summit organized by the Family Research Council Action. Cruz, who also spoke at the conservative forum, outperformed Dr. Ben Carson and Huckabee. Cruz also received more votes than Rubio, Christie, Clinton and 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.