Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) is refusing to rule out a potential primary challenge to Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018.
“I think any, you know, elected official, you don’t close off your options,” he told the Texas Tribune. “I have several options potentially in front of me and I’m not going to say no to any of them.”
{mosads}McCaul added that is not actively recruiting staff for a Senate bid and that it is “unclear to me” if the upper chamber is the best place for him.
In addition to potentially running for Senate, McCaul floated that he could fill an administration post under a GOP White House or switch to chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He currently chairs the House Homeland Security Committee but would hit his term limit after 2018.
But pressed on Tuesday if he supports Cruz, McCaul pointed to the time he spent campaigning for president.
“I think he’s spent a lot of time since day one running for president,” he added. “You know, I think we deserve somebody in the Senate who is going to be representing the interests of the state of Texas.”
He appeared to contrast Cruz with former Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, saying “Texas was her crown jewel” and she was “always, always focused on Texas.”
Cruz’s refusal to endorse Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland sparked months of speculation about a tough 2018 primary challenge, with McCaul considered a top candidate. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) is steering clear of the potential primary fight and won’t back Cruz or McCaul.
Though McCaul had roughly $205,000 in the bank at the end of September, according to the Federal Election Commission, he’s well-connected and personally wealthy, which could be an asset in raising the millions likely needed to try to unseat Cruz.
Cruz — who has refused to rule out a 2020 White House bid — has turned his focus back to Texas, crisscrossing his home state to meet with local business and stump for the state party ahead of the November election. He also reversed course and supported Trump in late September.
McCaul acknowledged on Tuesday that Cruz has “come home” after his failed 2016 presidential bid.
“He [has to] mind the store back home, and I do think he has traveled the state in an effort to get that back on track,” he added.