Ted Cruz is staking out an independent path from President Trump. The Texas senator announced endorsements for Rick Jackson in Georgia and Alan Wilson in South Carolina, both of whom face Trump-backed opponents in upcoming runoffs. It signals Cruz is willing to challenge the president's grip on the party as he considers a 2028 presidential campaign.
The move underscores Cruz's bet that there is room in the GOP for a contender willing to break with Trump. He appears to be the only potential 2028 Republican candidate to publicly side against the president in either race, highlighting how cautious others remain about crossing him.
Cruz backed Jackson, a wealthy health care executive, against Trump-endorsed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in Georgia's June 16 runoff. In South Carolina, he is supporting Attorney General Alan Wilson, who faces Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in a June 23 runoff. Both Jones and Evette were endorsed by Trump.
If Trump's picks prevail, Cruz could face the president's wrath, complicating his own presidential hopes. But if Jackson or Wilson win, Cruz gains credibility as a candidate who can operate independently. The endorsements are a calculated risk for the senator, who has been laying the groundwork for a 2028 bid.
Cruz' gambit may also encourage other Republicans to test their independence from Trump. However, the president has maintained an iron hold on the party for the last decade, and crossing him remains a risky strategy for any ambitious GOP figure.