(AP Photo/Jim Cole)By Steve Peoples, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz says in a Twitter message that he is running for president.
Cruz released an early morning tweet on Monday confirming what had long been an expected White House run from the tea party favorite. He becomes the first major candidate for president when he launches his campaign and a rush of more than a dozen White House hopefuls into the 2016 campaign is expected in the next few weeks.
Cruz will discuss his candidacy during a morning speech at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. In an early preview of his campaign message, he says in a web video that "it is going to take a new generation of courageous conservatives to make America great again."
