Two Georgians were particularly excited to hear that Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is running for president.
The first is David Panton, an Atlanta investment fund whiz and Rhodes scholar who is a longtime friend of Cruz's. The Dallas Morning News describes him as "Cruz's Princeton debate partner, Harvard law school classmate and best man." He's also the financial power behind a super PAC supporting the 44-year-old's candidacy.
“I am thrilled that Ted may announce his bid for the presidency,” Panton said in an email late Sunday. “America needs strong, principled leadership that Ted provides. I look forward to supporting him and am confident he will make an exceptional president.”
The second is Maria Strollo Zack, who leads that aforementioned PAC, which is called Stand for Principle. Zack is a lobbyist and consultant based in Cumming who is an activist with deep roots in the GOP.
Zack made sure she was on hand last week when Jeb Bush visited the Capitol, comparing the former Florida governor to Mitt Romney and predicting a "very difficult" road ahead for him. She said by phone late Sunday that she was thrilled to hear Cruz was preparing a campaign.
“He should run,” she said. “And I think he’ll make an excellent president.”
Cruz, a darling of the tea party movement, visited Georgia several times in the past year to cultivate support and stump for Gov. Nathan Deal and Senate candidate David Perdue. During one stump speech at a North Georgia church, he earned the biggest applause with an attack on the Democratic candidates.
"Here in Georgia, we've got on the ballot Jimmy Carter and Sam Nunn," he said during that late October swing. "It's like 'That '70s Show.'"
About the Author
