Washington, March 23 (IANS): Republican Senator from Texas Ted Cruz has confirmed his intention to run for the US presidential election in 2016, Efe news agency reported.

"I am running for president and I hope to earn your support," Cruz, one of the visible heads of the ultra-conservative 'Tea Party' movement, wrote on his Twitter account.

He is the first Republican to officially announce his presidential aspirations, marking the beginning of a long electoral race for the White House, scheduled for November 2016.

Media were speculating that Cruz would confirm his intention to compete for the Republican candidature during a ceremony at the Liberty University in Lynchburg, but Cruz finally decided to do so through social networking sites.

Cruz is one of the rising young stars and one of the most controversial figures of the Republican Party.

He is also known for his scepticism towards the moderate sections of the party and for his outright criticism of the policies of President Barack Obama who belongs to the rival Democratic Party.

Other Republican aspirants like Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky and Marco Rubio of Florida are also expected to throw their hats into the ring in April.

Among other conservatives, former Florida governor Jeb Bush has confirmed his intention to fight the primaries. However, he is yet to make a formal announcement.

As for the Democrats, all focus seems to be fixed exclusively around former secretary of state Hillary Clinton who is expected to take a decision around the middle of 2015.