Rafael Cruz

Cuban-American minister

Rafael Bienvenido Cruz y Díaz (born March 22, 1939) is a Cuban-American Christian preacher, public speaker, and father of Texas U.S. Senator and 2016 presidential candidate Ted Cruz. Cruz was born in Matanzas, Cuba.

Cruz speaking at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in Oklahoma City - 2015

He is called by many media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, as an acting surrogate in his son's political campaigns such as his presidential campaign.[1][2]

About his political involvements in the 1980s, Cruz reflected, "I was on the state board of the Religious Roundtable, a Christian and Jewish religious organization that worked to elect Ronald Reagan." At the time, he told his son, "God has destined you for greatness."[3]

References

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  1. Bailey, Holly (October 27, 2015). "Meet Rafael Cruz: Ted Cruz's secret evangelical weapon". Yahoo! Politics. Yahoo!. Retrieved December 4, 2015. One of his son's closest advisers and confidants, Cruz is a tireless surrogate ...
  2. Hook, Janet (June 21, 2015). "Ted Cruz's Father Fires Up Campaign Rhetoric". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  3. Brody File Exclusive: Ted Cruz’s Father Tells His Son: 'God Has Destined You for Greatness', The Brody File, David Brody, July 22, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2015.