Ted Cruz: I want to be president…

US Senator Ted Cruz has said “it’s no secret that I want to be president,” fuelling speculation about the 2028 Republican field, according to The Texas Tribune.

Speaking on Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick’s podcast Wednesday, Cruz, who finished second to Donald Trump in the 2016 primaries, called his presidential ambitions “a permanent and often fatal bug.” Patrick, listing potential 2028 contenders including Vice President JD Vance and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, said he believes Abbott also wants to run.

Cruz declined to confirm a 2028 bid, saying he would be “part of the discussion” as the GOP debates its future direction.