HOUSTON (AP) - Republican Ted Cruz of Houston is running for U.S. Senate.

The 40-year-old former state solicitor general says he filed the paperwork Wednesday.

Cruz seeks to replace GOP Sen. Kay Bay Hutchison, who last week announced she would not seek another term in 2012.

Cruz, who was solicitor general from 2003 to 2008, says Texans should fight for limited government, less spending, lower taxes, individual liberty and preserving the Constitution.

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