Houston Lawyer de Stefano to Challenge Ted Cruz In 2018 Senatorial Race

HOUSTON, TX — One energy lawyer in Houston tossed his name in the hat to run against powerful Texas Senator Ted Cruz in the 2018 Republican Primary. Stefano de Stefano said he's running "to take a stand against politics as usual and its misguided poster-child, Ted Cruz"

"Texas has had, in effect, only one Senator, as the other has been busy campaigning for President for the past 4 years," de Stefano said in a statement. "I won’t sit idly by while Ted continues to live in Ted's own little world, devoid of reality, and chases his second Presidential participation trophy on the backs of my fellow Texans. I will bring back the real-world ability to actually do business."

The energy lawyer de Stefano is a self-professed "free market Republican" running to represent the "best interests of the State of Texas in the United States Senate."

According to his biography, de Stefano received a B.A. in Political Science, with a minor in Economics, from the College of the Holy Cross, and a law degree from Fordham University College of Law. He worked as an attorney negotiating big-picture solutions to complex problems faced by global financial institutions and oil and natural gas companies at home and abroad.

"As senator, I will leverage my private sector leadership and negotiation acumen to champion the entrepreneurs and small businesses that provide opportunities for the families that call the Lone Star State home," he said. "My priorities as Texas’ next U.S. Senator include supporting the economic engines of the state by simplifying regulations that limit competitiveness, developing a 21st century approach to securing the border, and improving the Department of Veterans Affairs’ delivery of care to the honorable men and women of America’s armed services.

"I am running to support a stronger Texas, one that isn’t threatened by extremist posturing and stunts from do-nothing politicians. I supported the current Senator in 2012 only to see him betray my trust, and that of the Texas electorate, by chasing career goals at the expense of his voters’ best interests."

The staff of Ted Cruz didn't immediately respond to a request to respond.

de Stefano and his wife have a 4-year-old son.

Photo via Stefano de Stefano