Right-wing media has a long history of serving as Sen. Ted Cruz's (R-TX) biggest cheerleaders, dating back to Cruz's 2012 Senate victory which he credited to Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, and Glenn Beck, showcasing the influence of conservative media in shaping election outcomes.

Following Cruz's announced bid for the 2016 GOP nomination for president, Media Matters looks back at some of right-wing media's most effusive praise of Cruz.

Sean Hannity

After Cruz announced his candidacy, Hannity featured the senator in an hour-long special on the March 23 of edition his Fox News show. Hannity highlighted Cruz's campaign announcement speech, and allowed Cruz to promote his platform.

Hannity has fantasized about a Cruz campaign for years before the official campaign launch. During Cruz's February 26 speech at the 2015 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Hannity jumped on the main stage to proclaim that with Cruz, “we can fundamentally transform America” in 2016.

Rush Limbaugh

After Cruz announced the launch of his campaign, Rush Limbaugh praised Cruz, suggesting that he “might be the smartest man in Congress.”

In July 2014, Rush predicted that if Ted Cruz continued his rise in “dominant influence,” he would lead a nascent Republican “revival” that is “just awaiting leadership.”

In September 2013, Limbaugh lashed out at Fox News' Brit Hume for alleging that Cruz was influenced by Limbaugh and other conservative media in his repeated efforts to defund Obama's health care law. Limbaugh defended Cruz, asserting that “Ted Cruz isn't afraid of anybody,” and went on to praise the Republican senator, saying “Ted Cruz is fighting for freedom in the greatest tradition of American freedom fighters.” Limbaugh added that in his efforts to defund the health care law, “Ted Cruz is attempting to [] marshal the support of the American people ... in the greatest traditions of the American founding and the existence of the country.”  

Glenn Beck

Beck praised Ted Cruz after the launch of his campaign, championing Cruz's “long, long, impressive resume,” saying “you can't pigeonhole him as stupid,” adding “I can't wait to see him in a debate.”

On his radio show in December 2013, Beck likened Cruz to Ronald Reagan saying, he “may be our Ronald Reagan because that guy does not take prisoners. That guy is a thousand times smarter than 99 percent of the politicians I have ever met.”

Laura Ingraham

After Cruz announced his candidacy, Laura Ingraham applauded him for “stand[ing] firm for the constitution,” and claimed Cruz will be tough competition for Republicans because he represents “more of a traditionalist point of view” and a more “Reagan-esque” form of conservatism.

Mark Levin

Levin railed against Fox News for “trashing” Ted Cruz after the senator launched his campaign, likening Cruz to Reagan, and asserting that like Cruz, Reagan would have been “trashed all over” Fox News.

In August 2013, Levin declared Cruz “one of the bright lights of the Republican Party” for “exciting the base” after he “demonstrated that he can beat the establishment as he did” during his 2012 Senate campaign. Levin defended Cruz from a “vicious, vile, poisonous attack by the establishment including Bush staffers.” 

Hugh Hewitt

In June 2014, Hugh Hewitt proclaimed that Cruz “may be the smartest senator,” telling Joe Scarborough on his radio program, “he's just not gonna back down and we need some of that in our party.” Hewitt went on to compare Cruz to Reagan, saying he has “the same demeanor” as Reagan, “the same kind of charisma, easy affability and smart, smart, smart.”