Eyeing re-election, Ted Cruz seeks to burnish a bipartisan image
WASHINGTON — Sen. Ted Cruz built his reputation as a conservative flamethrower after he led the government shutdown over Obamacare funding in 2013, cultivating the brand in his presidential campaign and beyond over the last decade. Now, Cruz, R-Texas, is seeking to show some bipartisan credentials as he runs for re-election in a state that is becoming more competitive, which gave him a scare in his last race. In a wide-ranging interview in his Capitol Hill office, Cruz highlighted his work as the top Republican on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and how he has teamed with Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., on legislation to require that consumers be informed if their refrigerators or other home appliances have recording capabilities. Cruz touted his work with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on a bipartisan bill to fight a potential ban on new or existing gas stoves. And he spoke of his unlikely partnerships with two other Senate Democrats on the Commerce Committee — Ben Ray L...