WASHINGTON — Texas Sen. Ted Cruz dropped hints during a speech to college-aged activists on Tuesday afternoon that he will run for president in 2016, predicting that conservatives will triumph in the next race for the White House.

“Let me tell you something,” Cruz said. “2016 is going to be the second wave of the return of freedom to this country.”

Cruz made his remarks during a speech Tuesday at a conference sponsored by the Young America’s Foundation. He spoke about how the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan “turned this country around.”

Cruz noted that it has been 50 years since Reagan gave his “A Time For Choosing” speech in support of 1964 presidential candidate Barry Goldwater.

“As Reagan said in 1964, together we have a rendezvous with destiny,” Cruz said during his remarks at George Washington University. “2014 — mark my words — is going to be a incredible year. We’re going to retake the Senate. And we’re going to retire Harry Reid.”

“And thanks to the passion and leadership of everyone here, 2016 is going to be even better,” Cruz said to applause.

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