Story highlights Speculation has abounded that Cruz would step aside to prepare for a 2020 White House run

Many strategists believe Cruz would be better served to skip a Senate re-election campaign in 2018

Washington (CNN) Sen. Ted Cruz said Tuesday that he plans to run for re-election in Texas, putting to rest speculation that he may step aside to prepare for another run at the White House in 2020.

"Yes," Cruz told CNN when asked if he would run again. He didn't elaborate on his thinking.

Cruz's comments come as he returns to Capitol Hill this week for the first time since dropping his presidential bid.

He has yet to endorse Donald Trump, stoking speculation that he is angling for another run in four years.

Many strategists believe Cruz would be better served to skip a Senate re-election campaign in 2018 and instead focus on his presidential ambitions. While Cruz may ultimately decide not to run for re-election, his comments are clearly aimed at tamping down speculation that he will quit the Senate. On Wednesday Cruz officially reactivated his Senate campaign account, stating in a letter to the Federal Election Commission that he "is no longer a candidate for President of the United States."

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