Cruz says he went on vacation amid storm ‘to be a good dad’

DALLAS (AP) — Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has acknowledged that he traveled to Mexico for a family vacation this week as his home state was paralyzed by a deadly winter storm.

In a statement Thursday, Cruz said he was returning to Texas.

He said he accompanied his family to Mexico on Wednesday after his daughters asked to go on a trip with friends.

He said, “Wanting to be a good dad, I flew down with them last night.”

He said he was in “constant communication” with leaders back home.

The statement did little to quell a fierce backlash that comes as Cruz eyes a second presidential run in 2024.