Ted Cruz to run for U.S. President in 2016 elections

Texas Senator, Ted Cruz has announced that he is running for U.S. President in the 2016 election.  

Mr. Cruz had hinted he would formally launch his bid for the Republican Party nomination, and made it official in a message and video on his Twitter account. 

The 44-year-old first term senator is the first high-profile Republican candidate to formally join the race. Other Republican contenders are expected to follow in the coming weeks. 

Mr. Cruz, who joined the Senate in 2013 is a favourite of the conservative Tea Party. 

He wants to repeal President Barack Obama's health care law, abolish the tax-collecting Internal Revenue Service and scrap the Education Department. 

Among Republican politicians expected to announce their candidacy are former Florida Governor, Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Governor, Scott Walker, former Texas Governor, Rick Perry, and Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky and Florida's Marco Rubio.

VOA