Cruz reportedly turned down job in Bush White House

Ted Cruz turned down an opportunity to work in President George W. Bush’s White House, according to a new Associated Press report.

Cruz, now a leading Republican presidential candidate, was offered a job as White House associate counsel after working on the 2000 campaign, unnamed members of the Bush transition team said.

{mosads}But Cruz rejected the offer, believing he was in line for the more senior role of deputy White House counsel, according to the report.

Cruz has previously suggested he was passed over for a senior job. He wrote in his book last year that “it was a crushing blow.”

He served as a policy aide on Bush’s campaign and met his future wife, Heidi, on the trail.

The Texas senator is running for the Republican nomination this year against a large field that includes George W. Bush’s brother, former Gov. Jeb Bush (Fla.).