First declared candidate, Ted Cruz carries conservative firebrand message into race

Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a conservative firebrand who frequently clashes with leaders of his Republican Party, became the first major figure from either major party to jump into the 2016 US presidential election race on Monday when he announced his candidacy on Twitter.

"I'm running for President and I hope to earn your support!" Cruz said on his Twitter page, an unusual forum for presidential candidates to announce such plans.