Ted Cruz signs pledge not to raise taxes if elected as president

Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas signed the influential Americans for Tax Reforms’ pledge not to raise taxes if elected president in the 2016 election.

“Grover Norquist, at Americans for Tax Reform since 1986, has given voters tangible proof of which candidates won’t raise their taxes and which candidates will,” Mr. Cruz said in a statement. “My record supporting tax cuts is clear, and I am pleased to be able to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge again as a candidate for president so taxpayers can be assured that I will do what I say I will do.”

Grover Norquist, the head of ATR, returned the praise, describing Mr. Cruz as a “strong and consistent advocate for taxpayers.”

“He signed the pledge as a candidate for the Senate in 2012. He has kept that commitment to the people of Texas and in the Senate has fought to reduce federal spending and the nation’s tax burden,” Mr. Norquist said.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who launched his campaign this month, also has signed the “Taxpayer Protection Pledge.” Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, another recent entry into the race, signed it in his capacity as a senator.

Meanwhile, most of the likely 2016 GOP contenders have signed the pledge in the past — with the noticeable exception of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who thus far refused to say whether he plans on doing so.

Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey also has not signed the pledge, but ATR officials note that he has followed through on his commitment not to raise taxes.

Govs. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Rick Perry of Texas also have previously signed the pledge. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee also signed it when he ran for president in 2008.