Ted Cruz Officially Announces Presidential Candidacy

Published March 23, 2015 at 1:06 PM EDT

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) stands on stage while speaking to a crowd gathered at Liberty University to announce his presidential candidacy March 23, 2015 in Lynchburg, Virginia. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Republican Senator Ted Cruz got out in front of the pack today and announced he will run for President in 2016.

The junior senator from Texas is beloved by the Tea Party, but lately he’s been as odds with his fellow Senate Republicans.

NPR’s Ron Elving speaks with Here & Now’s Jeremy Hobson about why Cruz made the announcement ahead of his Republican rivals, who his supporters and critics are, and who of the big players may be next to officially announce their candidacy.

Guest

Ron Elving, senior Washington editor and correspondent at NPR. He tweets @NPRrelving.

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