Ted Cruz is a "natural-born citizen" under the U.S. Constitution and is eligible to run for U.S. president in New Jersey's June 7 primary, according to a state judge.
"The more persuasive legal analysis is that such a child, born of a citizen-father, citizen-mother, or both, is indeed a 'natural born citizen' within the contemplation of the Constitution," administrative law judge Jeff Masin said in a 26-page decision reported by
NJ.com.
A group of New Jersey residents, joined by a Catholic University law professor, questioned whether Cruz was a U.S. citizen and eligible to run for president, since he was born in Canada, although his mother is American.
Now the case goes before New Jersey Secretary of State Kim Guadagno, who will issue a ruling that could be appealed in state court. Guadagno is also the state's lieutenant governor.
The judge said his ruling was not a final answer to the question of whether a child born outside the U.S. to an American parent can run for president. In his decision he said the issue "can never be entirely free of doubt, barring a ruling" by the Supreme Court.
Only the Founding Fathers of the Constitution knew the answer, Masin said in his decision.
The Garden State could be crucial in the presidential race, as it awards all 51 of its delegates to the winner of the primary.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.