{"id":2620328,"date":"2026-06-28T07:24:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T11:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/evangelicals-not-sold-on-a-ted-cruz-2028-presidential-bid\/"},"modified":"2026-06-28T07:25:35","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T11:25:35","slug":"evangelicals-not-sold-on-a-ted-cruz-2028-presidential-bid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/evangelicals-not-sold-on-a-ted-cruz-2028-presidential-bid\/","title":{"rendered":"Evangelicals not sold on a Ted Cruz 2028 presidential bid"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fevangelicals-not-sold-on-a-ted-cruz-2028-presidential-bid%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2620328&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Evangelical voters remain cautious about supporting Ted Cruz in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/joe-rogan-says-tucker-<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fire-fauci-new-study-finds-closing-schools-in-response-to-covid-19-delayed-herd-immunity-and-will-increase-overall-deaths\/\" title=\"FIRE FAUCI: New Study Finds Closing Schools In Response to COVID-19 Delayed Herd Immunity and Will Increase Overall Deaths\">carlson<\/a>-could-win-2028-presidential-race\/&#8221; title=&#8221;Joe Rogan predicts &#8230;&#039;s victory in 2028 &#8230; race.&#8221;>2028 presidential race<\/a>, despite his previous prominence in the 2016 GOP bid.Attendees at the Faith and Freedom Coalition\u2019s Road to Majority Conference expressed mixed feelings about Cruz&#8217;s potential candidacy, with some noting that he appears less energetic and more grandfatherly than before. Cruz&#8217;s remarks at the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >conference received<\/a> some criticism, especially for glossing over key issues like the SAVE America Act, which aims to enforce voter ID laws. <\/p>\n<p>Supporters consider Cruz a strong candidate but recognize challenges due to his feud with Tucker Carlson over Israel and Iran policies, and the possibility that former President Trump might endorse other figures like JD Vance or Marco Rubio. Some Republicans believe Cruz\u2019s best chance would depend on an endorsement from Trump, who currently favors different potential candidates.opinions about Cruz are divided, with some seeing him as a viable contender, while others question if his window for prospect has closed.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Evangelical voters are wary of a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2028-elections\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11676\">2028<\/a> presidential campaign by Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ted-cruz\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"185\">Ted Cruz<\/a> (R-TX), despite being a key part of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gop\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1577\">GOP<\/a> firebrand\u2019s 2016 bid.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In multiple conversations with the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, attendees of the Faith and Freedom Coalition\u2019s annual Road to Majority Conference gave nonchalant responses about supporting the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/texas\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"253\">Texas<\/a> Republican if he were to seek the White House again.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4627906\/joe-biden-attacks-trump-defends-record-maryland-democratic-party-gala\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Joe Biden attacks Trump and defends his record at Maryland Democratic Party gala<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4626893\/ruben-gallego-marco-rubio-2028-democrats-in-trouble\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Gallego says Democrats are \u2018in trouble\u2019 in 2028 if Rubio is GOP nominee<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4626596\/elissa-slotkin-democratic-party-way-forward-2024-election\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Slotkin pitches herself as the way forward after Democrats\u2019 2024 shellacking<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think his time has passed,\u201d said Debbie McCord, a 72-year-old retiree from Augusta, Georgia. \u201cI saw him yesterday in our town hall, and he was very inspiring, and everything, but I don\u2019t think he has the energy that we need to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dont-fall-for-democrats-dishonest-unconstitutional-norm-busting-vote-buying-student-loan-racket\/\" title=\"Beware of Democrats&#039; Deceptive Student Loan Scheme\">attract younger voters<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe looked a little bit more grandfatherly yesterday than, like, the hard-charging Ted Cruz of 2016. The beard doesn\u2019t help.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The gathering of religious conservatives at the Washington Hilton is one of the earliest temperature checks of likely GOP primary voters before the 2028 election cycle begins.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cruz addressed the Road to Majority conference on Thursday during a Capitol Hill town hall. But some attendees were not impressed with him.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amy Danowski, a 66-year-old analyst from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, said she was \u201ckind of disappointed\u201d that Cruz \u201cleft out the most important thing \u2026 the SAVE Act.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe kind of just glossed over it instead of saying yes and expounding on it,\u201d Danowski said of Cruz\u2019s remarks. \u201cHe just moved on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">President Donald Trump has whipped up GOP fervor over Congress passing the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/save-america-act\/\">SAVE America Act<\/a>, which would require voter ID to cast a ballot and proof of citizenship to register to vote nationwide. But Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has been adamant that there are not enough votes in the Senate to pass the legislation, given the 60-vote filibuster threshold. The House has passed the bill at least three times.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This week, Trump canceled the signing of a landmark housing bill on Capitol Hill in hopes of putting pressure on the Senate to pass the SAVE America Act. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) met with Trump on Thursday to discuss the legislation, although its path forward is unclear.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other Republicans said they were more optimistic about members of the Trump administration, such as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI wouldn\u2019t be opposed if [Cruz] were to run,\u201d said Domenic Greco, a 54-year-old real estate agent from Pittsburgh. \u201cBut I would like to see, like, a Marco Rubio-Tulsi Gabbard ticket. That\u2019s my personal thoughts. Like, nothing against him, but I just feel like Marco \u2026 is more presidential.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSometimes in politics, your window or your door of opportunity passes you, and you know, is that [Cruz\u2019s] case?\u201d said Jeff Vega, a 68-year-old nonprofit organization owner from Michigan. \u201cBecause I mean, you look now, where was JD four years ago? He wasn\u2019t even on the horizon. Marco Rubio, where was he four years ago? And so now their stock has risen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, Vega, a Hispanic man, said that because of his identity, \u201cthere is a bias for Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Texas senator\u2019s feud with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson over Israel did not appear to change the opinions of attendees at the Road to Majority Conference.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cruz called Carlson \u201cthe single most dangerous demagogue in this country\u201d\u00a0in March at an event on antisemitism hosted by the Republican Jewish Coalition and <em>National Review<\/em>. Carlson has increasingly criticized Israel in the wake of the joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran in late February. The two men have also battled over Israel and Iran since last year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jeff Ortiz, a board member of Iowa\u2019s Faith and Freedom Coalition, said he \u201ccould definitely get excited about Ted Cruz.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think it would remind me a little bit of trying to defend President Trump,\u201d Ortiz, 72, said. \u201cThere\u2019s going to be a lot of daggers and knives coming out after him. Some of it is because he\u2019s strong in his opinions, and I think the other thing is a strong support of Israel, and that automatically puts you on a target.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ortiz did concede that Cruz\u2019s spat with Carlson \u201cwould be a challenge for him,\u201d due to the former TV host\u2019s popularity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ultimately, Cruz\u2019s best shot at the White House would be an endorsement from Trump, Republicans told the <em>Washington Examiner.<\/em> But Trump has so far pointed to Vance and Rubio as his likely successors in 2028, much to the delight of the GOP base.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4615402\/ted-cruz-2028-trumpworld-iran-deal-criticism\/\">TED CRUZ STOKES 2028 SPECULATION AND TRUMPWORLD BLOWBACK WITH IRAN DEAL CRITICISM<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI like Ted Cruz,\u201d said Steven Patrick, a 42-year-old supervisor in radiation oncology from Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Patrick said he wanted Rubio to run with Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) in 2028. \u201cBut I like Ted Cruz,\u201d he added. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t have a problem supporting him, but I hope that we see him on the Supreme Court.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Evangelicals cautious on Cruz 2028 bid, despite 2016 support<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2658,"featured_media":2620329,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AP25167801559617.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[55187,27724,5894,32090],"class_list":["post-2620328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-2028-presidential-bid","tag-evangelicals","tag-politics","tag-ted-cruz"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AP25167801559617.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2620328","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2658"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2620328"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2620328\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2620332,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2620328\/revisions\/2620332"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2620329"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2620328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2620328"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2620328"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}