The first of GOP’s major presidential contenders to announce, Ted Cruz, has in two short years sprung himself into the biggest political spotlight. In 2012, he surprised the country when he won Texas’s senate seat. There is no doubt either, that his supporters hope to see him steal the presidency in 2016. Facing at least two others in the Republican primaries, Cruz will have to face an uphill battle for the nomination. On top of this, he is in a unique position compared to other Republican candidates. Where most have a large backing from the party leadership, Cruz’s core base comes mainly from a socially conservative grassroots movement. Being more of a lone wolf within the ranks can both help and hurt his campaign, especially his efforts to get nominated. If Cruz expects this, he may have to do more than just appeal to social conservatives. To court the party, he must show his competence in foreign policy, something many don’t think he has seeing that he has been in Washington D.C. for only two years. In fact prior to his time in the Senate, he only served in non-elected offices with little influence on major policy decisions. That being said, opponents should not underestimate the power of his supporters. Despite all the odds, they managed to win him his current seat and they may be able to the same thing at the Republican National Convention. 

If Cruz makes it  to the general election, he will have to face a whole new set of challenges. His principles and integrity that his supporters admire, won’t be perceived as such by a majority of Americans. Already, he is seen as a hard-lined, radical conservative. Indeed, Cruz’s uncompromising nature will come back to bite him, and because of this, Democrats will have a lot of ammunition to use on Cruz. They will definitely bring up his role in the government shutdown from last November. He will again have to answer to his lack of experience in a federal public office and with foreign policy, things Clinton can easily claim. Despite this, Cruz can lay claim to a sense of moral authority Clinton can’t. He has taken special care to paint himself as a defender of the Constitution. There is little dirt on him, he is fresh blood in Washington, and he has a compelling backstory. Regardless, he still needs to reach the moderates to win this election. 

Currently, Cruz is not ahead in polls, and he has recently taken some hits for his lack of attendance at committee meetings. But with his recent campaigning and fundraising successes, there is no doubt that he will be able to shrug this off. The real question is, will he be able to get through the primaries? With other big names to announce soon, Cruz will likely see a drop in the polls as he is outshined by his more experienced colleagues. However, as the primaries get closer there is a good chance he will make some sort of a comeback. Simply put, though, Cruz is the most unpredictable of all the candidates running. Will this Constitutional champion and Washington rookie make a splash this election season? Undoubtedly. But does he have what it takes to seize the presidency? Only time will tell.