premise: Ted Cruz has always been incapable of being a senator.
hypothesis: Ted Cruz is a member of the Republican Party , a U.S. Senator representing the state of Texas , and a former candidate for President of the United States . Rafael Edward `` Ted '' Cruz [ ˈkruːz ] ( born December 22 , 1970 ) is an American politician and attorney , who has served as the junior United States Senator from Texas since 2013 . Cruz ran for the Senate seat vacated by fellow Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison and , in July 2012 , defeated Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst during the Republican primary runoff , 57 -- 43 % . He is the first Hispanic American to serve as a U.S. Senator representing Texas , and is one of three senators of Cuban descent . In November 2012 , he was appointed Vice-Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee .