Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has reportedly begun exploring the possibility of a presidential campaign for 2028, according to a report published on September 3, 2026. Cruz has made three trips to Iowa this year and has been active on the podcast circuit while promoting a new book. His spokeswoman declined to comment on the matter.
In a podcast released on the same day, Cruz was asked about the significance of President Donald Trump's endorsement in 2028. Cruz stated, "It carries weight, but I think the voters are going to make their own determination." The Independent interpreted this as Cruz preparing for the possibility of not receiving Trump's endorsement, as Trump has yet to endorse a successor. In late August, Trump referred to Cruz as "very talented" but did not endorse him.
Cruz has openly expressed his presidential ambitions, stating, "It’s no secret that I want to be president. I ran for president," during a podcast hosted by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick last month. When asked if he would run again, he replied, "Time will tell."
Cruz has also criticized Vice President JD Vance, who currently leads early polling among Republican candidates. Cruz remarked, "JD negotiated the MOU with Iran. That was a terrible deal." Vance's supporters have reportedly downplayed the likelihood of Cruz posing a serious challenge to Vance's candidacy. Steve Bannon, a strategist from the 2016 Trump campaign, commented that Cruz is not a populist and represents outdated Republican policies.
During a recent event in Iowa, voters expressed support for Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio over Cruz. Cruz used his speech to assert his influence on policies that Vance is expected to advocate, claiming, "No tax on tips, I wrote that," and highlighting his role in promoting child investment accounts known as Trump Accounts in last year's tax bill.
Cruz's future in the race remains uncertain as he navigates the evolving political landscape.