Rafael Edward "Ted" Cruz is an American politician and attorney who has served as the junior U.S. Senator from Texas since 2013. Born on December 22, 1970, in Calgary, Canada, to a Cuban father and American mother, Cruz attended Princeton University and Harvard Law School. Prior to his political career, Cruz worked as a lawyer and held various government positions, including serving as the Solicitor General of Texas. Known for his conservative views, Cruz ran for the Republican nomination in the 2016 presidential election. He is a prominent figure in the Senate, advocating for limited government, individual freedoms, and conservative values.