By Gromer Jeffers
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said Thursday that he’s not thinking about running for the White House in 2016.
“My focus is entirely on the U.S. Senate,” Cruz said before speaking at the silver anniversary of the Institute for Policy Innovation. “Right now the U.S. Senate is the battlefield for preserving liberty.”
In recent days media reports have mentioned Cruz as a potential presidential contender in 2016.
He’s been a hit with conservative Republicans since being elected in November for the seat formerly held by Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison. On Friday, for instance, Cruz is the keynote speaker for the South Carolina GOP’s Silver Elephant dinner.
But Cruz said his goal is to fight for conservative principles and help Republicans take the Senate in 2014.
“I want to fight for a conservative majority in 2014,” he said.