While the 2028 Republican presidential primary remains on the distant horizon, Texas Senator Ted Cruz—a stalwart ally of Israel on Capitol Hill—is already signaling his readiness to run for the White House following President Donald Trump’s second term. Speaking on a podcast hosted by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Cruz acknowledged his enduring ambition: “It’s no secret that I want to be president.” When asked whether he plans to make another bid following his 2016 campaign, Cruz responded: “Time will tell.” Cruz offered a wry reflection on his presidential aspirations, calling it a “disease that history has proven rarely goes away,” before quipping that it is “a permanent and sometimes fatal disease.”
An Open Field in 2028
Cruz’s remarks follow recent comments where he insisted that the 2028 Republican nomination contest is far from decided, pushing back on the notion that Vice President JD Vance will step into the role of uncontested heir to Trump’s movement. “There will be a full debate about who we are and what we believe,” Cruz noted. “I will certainly be a part of that discussion.”
Beyond Vance and Cruz, the 2028 Republican field is expected to feature a wide bench of heavyweight contenders. President Trump has publicly highlighted Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a prominent frontrunner, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis may also launch a renewed bid for the presidency.