U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has quickly made a name for himself. Since taking office in 2012, the Texas Republican has solidified his brand as a conservative firebrand willing to take on establishment members of the GOP.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has quickly made a name for himself. Since taking office in 2012, the Texas Republican has solidified his brand as a conservative firebrand willing to take on establishment members of the GOP.
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Cruz speaks during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, in August 2012.
Cruz speaks during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, in August 2012.
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Vice President Joe Biden administers the Senate oath to Cruz during a mock swearing-in ceremony in January 2013. Cruz was accompanied by his wife, Heidi Nelson, and his two daughters, Caroline and Catherine.
Vice President Joe Biden administers the Senate oath to Cruz during a mock swearing-in ceremony in January 2013. Cruz was accompanied by his wife, Heidi Nelson, and his two daughters, Caroline and Catherine.
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During a news conference in March 2013, Cruz announces a plan to defund the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
During a news conference in March 2013, Cruz announces a plan to defund the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
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Cruz heads to the weekly Senate Republicans policy luncheon in Washington in March 2013.
Cruz heads to the weekly Senate Republicans policy luncheon in Washington in March 2013.
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Cruz speaks during the National Rifle Association's Annual Meeting and Exhibits in May 2013.
Cruz speaks during the National Rifle Association's Annual Meeting and Exhibits in May 2013.
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Cruz speaks during the "Exempt America from Obamacare" rally in Washington in September 2013.
Cruz speaks during the "Exempt America from Obamacare" rally in Washington in September 2013.
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Cruz emerges from the Senate chamber after spending more than 21 hours railing against Obamacare in September 2013.
Cruz emerges from the Senate chamber after spending more than 21 hours railing against Obamacare in September 2013.
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Cruz speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in October 2013.
Cruz speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in October 2013.
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From left, U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham, John McCain and Cruz listen as President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address in January 2014.
From left, U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham, John McCain and Cruz listen as President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address in January 2014.
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Cruz leaves a briefing at the U.S. Capitol in June. The briefing was about the prisoner exchange that freed Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from the Taliban.
Cruz leaves a briefing at the U.S. Capitol in June. The briefing was about the prisoner exchange that freed Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from the Taliban.
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From left, Cruz attends a Capitol Hill news conference with U.S. Reps. Marsha Blackburn, John Carter and Lamar Smith in September. Cruz discussed immigration reform at the news conference.
From left, Cruz attends a Capitol Hill news conference with U.S. Reps. Marsha Blackburn, John Carter and Lamar Smith in September. Cruz discussed immigration reform at the news conference.
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U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, center, is joined by Cruz and former Sen. Tom Coburn at a rally in WIchita, Kansas, in October.
U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, center, is joined by Cruz and former Sen. Tom Coburn at a rally in WIchita, Kansas, in October.
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Cruz poses for a selfie following his February speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland.
Cruz poses for a selfie following his February speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland.
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A woman piles up Cruz stickers during the Conservative Political Action Conference.
A woman piles up Cruz stickers during the Conservative Political Action Conference.
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Cruz speaks Tuesday, March 10, during the Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference and Presidential Forum in Washington. Prospective presidential candidates from both political parties participated in the forum.
Cruz speaks Tuesday, March 10, during the Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference and Presidential Forum in Washington. Prospective presidential candidates from both political parties participated in the forum.
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"Late Night" host Seth Meyers interviews Cruz on Monday, March 16.
"Late Night" host Seth Meyers interviews Cruz on Monday, March 16.
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Cruz brings his daughters Caroline, left, and Catherine on stage during a walk-through Sunday, March 22, at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Cruz brings his daughters Caroline, left, and Catherine on stage during a walk-through Sunday, March 22, at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
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On that same stage, Cruz officially announces his campaign for the presidency on Monday, March 23.
On that same stage, Cruz officially announces his campaign for the presidency on Monday, March 23.
Andrew Harnik/AP