Draft:Paul Ron Cruz
American politician and actor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paul Ron Cruz (born June 18, 1985) is an American politician, U.S. Army combat veteran, intelligence analyst, entrepreneur, consultant, and first-time political candidate running in the 2026 U.S. Senate from Florida election.[1]
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Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Paulroncruz (talk) 16:27, 1 September 2025 (UTC)
June 18, 1985
- Politician
- actor
Paul Ron Cruz | |
|---|---|
| Born | Paul Ron Cruz June 18, 1985 New York City, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Silvia Cruz |
| Children | 3 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | U.S. Army |
| Service years | 2004–2021 |
| Website | prcruz |
A native of New York City with Puerto Rican heritage, Cruz served in both active duty and reserve roles in the U.S. Army from 2004 to 2021, reaching the rank of Sergeant First Class (E-7). He has worked in national defense, cybersecurity, veteran advocacy, and small business, and is a declared candidate for President of the United States in the 2028. A decorated veteran, former Senior Intelligence Analyst, and instructor, Cruz transitioned into high-level defense consulting, cyber threat analysis, information operations, and public service. His career also includes work in the insurance industry and appearances in film and television. He is a vocal advocate for veterans, economic fairness, and civic reform.
Early life and education
Cruz was born in New York City, to Puerto Rican-American parents. Following the passage of the Jones–Shafroth Act in 1917, Cruz's great grandparents, Ramon and Teresa Ayala-Perez, moved from Puerto Rico to The Bronx. Cruz's Puerto Rican heritage goes all the way back to 1597, and is directly linked to José Ortiz de la Renta, one of the most elected mayors in the history of Ponce, Puerto Rico.[citation needed] He is also from African American ancestry.[2] Cruz's family has a strong military legacy, having a relative serve in every major U.S. armed conflict since the Korean War.
Cruz spent his early childhood in the Soundview neighborhood of Clason Point, Bronx and attended the Holy Cross School from kindergarten through 4th grade.
In 1994, his family relocated to Lakeland, Florida, where he attended Cleveland Court Elementary. In 1997, he briefly attended Westpine Middle School in Sunrise, Florida before getting transferred to Centennial Middle School in Cutler Bay. He graduated from Miami Southridge Senior High School in 2003.[3] He studied film writing and criminal justice at Miami Dade College, later continuing his education in Applied Science Intelligence Operations at Cochise College.[4]
Cruz also completed extensive military education, including advanced tactical and intelligence certifications through the U.S. Army, as well as professional cybersecurity certification courses.
Political career
Cruz has served as Vice President of the Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Polk County, Florida, and on Hispanic Advisory and Veterans Advisory boards in Lakeland, Florida. He has been a member of LULAC and has volunteered for disabled veterans' reintegration, youth mentorship, anti-poverty initiatives, mental health advocacy, and animal rescue.
In 2026, Cruz announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate from Florida as a progressive Democrat.[3][1] His platform focuses on economic justice, immigration reform, national unity, and cybersecurity and veteran care modernization. He is running against unelected incumbent Ashley Moody, appointed to replace Marco Rubio.
Cruz declared his intention to run for President in 2028 after a TikTok response to the State of the Union went viral, surpassing responses by other Democratic leaders.[citation needed]
Career
Cruz worked at Burger King and managed a local Hollywood video store in Miami at age 15 before enlisting in the U.S. Army in October 2004.[3] He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Huachuca, where he was awarded MOS 35F All-Source Intelligence Analyst.
Outside of the military, Cruz worked as a defense contractor, licensed insurance agent, Marvel-themed pop-up bar operator in Washington, D.C., project manager for Lakeland Electric, operations tech support at Universal Orlando Resort, and veterans benefits consultant.
Media appearances
Cruz has appeared in the films Rampage (2018), Creed II (2018), Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), and the television shows Homeland (2018) and Gotham (2019).[5]
Cruz is working on a memoir reflecting on his military career, family history, and political awakening. He is also making a screenplay based off this memoir. A documentary is also being filmed about him and his campaign process.
He has also been featured as a guest on Washington, D.C. radios, podcasts, livestreams, political roundtables, and civic engagement events.
Military service
Training
Private Cruz began his military career in October 2004 after attending Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Upon completion of the training, he was awarded a Superior Performance Certificate and the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 35F Intelligence Analyst (previously known as 96B All Source Intelligence Analyst) and throughout his career, he served as a Military Intelligence Instructor and was also awarded the Additional Skill Identifier (ASI) P4, Tactical Information Operations Planner.
Assignments
Cruz's assignments and duty positions include Balkans POL/MIL Analyst Team Lead as part of 2d MI BN, 66th Military Intelligence Group Darmstadt, Germany. In 2008, he was assigned 3d BDE, 25ID at Schofield Barracks, Hawaiʻi. Upon returning from Iraq, Cruz was promoted to Staff Sergeant (SSG/E6) and transferred to the MI CO as a Squad Leader, and later Platoon Sergeant.
Cruz served on active duty from 2004 to 2012 at the tactical level, and in the Army Reserve at the strategic level until 2021. His service was distinguished by roles in intelligence analysis, information operations, cybersecurity, and instructional leadership.
Deployments
In 2005, Private First Class (PFC/E3) Cruz, served as Watch Officer in support of Kosovo Force (KFOR) NATO Mission at the US National Intelligence Cell (USNIC-P) Pristina, Kosovo.
In 2008, Sergeant (SGT/E5) Cruz deployed in support of the Global War on Terror to the Iraq Campaign theatre as part of TF Bronco; served as part of the S2 of 3BSTB, 3IBCT, 25ID(L) during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Cruz served as an Intelligence Analyst within the Tactical Operations Center (TOC), he was responsible for intelligence assessments, ISR asset management, and information security. Cruz was stationed on FOB Warrior in Kirkuk, FOB Bernstein in Tuz, as well as temporarily on COB Speicher.
Army Reserve
In 2012, he left active duty and transferred into the US Army Reserve as part of Detachment 7, 3100 Strategic Intelligence Group supporting the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C.; and later 6th BN 98Th REGT at Fort Devens (CDP), Massachusetts serving as a Senior Intelligence Instructor in support of the Military Intelligence Center of Excellence.
Military Education
- US Army Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (NCOA) Senior Leader Course (SLC)
- US Army Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (NCOA)Advanced Leader Course (ALC)
- US Army Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (NCOA)Warrior Leader Course (WLC)
- US Army Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (NCOA) Structured Self Development
- US Army Military All Source Intelligence Analysis Course
- DOD Defense Common Ground System- Army (DCGS-A)
- DOD Personnel and Information Security Management Certification
- DIA Asymmetric Warfare Intelligence Analysis Course
- US Army Equal Opportunity (EO) Leaders Course
- US Army Combat Lifesavers (CLS) Course
- US Army Combatives Level 1 Instructor Course
- US Army Expert Infantry Badge (EIB) Train-the-Trainer Course
- US Army Unit Substance Abuse Prevention Leader (UPL) Course
- DIA Collection Managers’ Course
- DIA MASINT Introduction/ Collection
- DIA GEOINT/ Imagery to the Desktop Course
- DIA Installation/Facility Basic Application Retrieval & Production Course
- DOD Anti-Terrorism Training Course I & II
- DIA Defense Industrial Production Analysis Course (DIPAC)
- US Army Information Operations Capabilities Applications & Planning Course (IOCAP)
- Palantir Basic & Intermediate Training
- Cyber-focused Palantir Basic & Intermediate Training
- DIA Underground Facilities (UGF) Analysis Training Course
- US Army 1st IO CMD Basic Cyber Course
- US Army Trojan / Sentinel / GLAIVE Testing & Operations (I2WD) Course
- USSOCOM Theater Special Operations Command (TSOC) Staff Education Course
Awards and Honors
- Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC)
- Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC)
- Joint Service Achievement Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars)
- Kosovo Campaign Medal
- NATO Non-Article 5 Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Combat Action Badge
- Good Conduct Medal (2 Knots)
- Army Reserve Component Achievement (2 OLC)
- Army Overseas Service Ribbon (6 Tours)
- NCO Professional Development Ribbon (numeral 3)
Personal life
Cruz is married to Silvia Cruz, a Latin American of Mexican, Cuban, Colombian, and Venezuelan ancestry. Silvia is a descendant of Cuban revolutionary José Martí. Together they homeschool their children and own small businesses. They have three sons, Eli, Ren, and Kai, along with a rescued pit bull named Titan and a tabby cat named EV.
Cruz is related to Wonder Woman 1984 stunt actress Stracey Diaz, YouTuber Chris Ray Gun, producer and journalist Christopher Cruz, and Kenneth Melendez, a survivor of the Pulse nightclub shooting.[6][7][8]
Cruz was raised Roman Catholic, pro-democracy, progressive, committed to human dignity, veteran advocacy, and anti-war principles rooted in realism and responsibility.
References
• Biden visits son in Iraq – The Hill • YouTube: Interview clip 1 • YouTube: Campaign video • YouTube: Biden ad clip • Terrorism links probed after Orlando shooting – Canon City Daily Record • DIA honors reserve units – Defense Intelligence Agency • U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division history • USAREUR 66th MI Brigade – U.S. Army Germany • Going underground – National Defense Magazine • National Security Archive, Document 17 • Illuminate DIA UGF contract • Rolling Stone – Marvel Cosmic Invasion Preview • Staff Sgt. Nigel D. Kelly memorial • Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Polk County • Official campaign website • Official YouTube
External links
• Official campaign website • Official YouTube channel • https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/orlando-victim-who-posted-chilling-8194337 • https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jun/12/orlando-nightclub-shooting-how-attack-unfolded • https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/horrific-orlando-nightclub-shooting-images-8177083 • https://secure.actblue.com/donate/paul-ron-cruz-1?refcode=directory • https://www.usarmygermany.com/Sont.htm?https&&&www.usarmygermany.com/Units/Military%20Intelligence/USAREUR_66thMIBde.htm • https://oneilluminate.com/illuminate-awarded-prime-defense-intelligence-agency-underground-facility-analysis-center-contract/ • https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2018/1/2/going-underground-the-us-governments-hunt-for-enemy-tunnels • https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB372/docs/Document17.pdf • https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/campaigns/foreign-policy/45294-biden-visits-son-in-iraq/ • https://www.25thida.org/division/ • https://www.kare11.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/exclusive-kerry-washington-reflects-on-her-bronx-childhood-dishes-on-husbands-hilarious-met-gala/89-436311554 • https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-staff-sgt-nigel-d-kelly/6567839 • https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/latinxperience/ • https://cash.app/$PaulRCruz • https://www.tiktok.com/@paulroncruz • https://x.com/CruzPaulR • https://www.instagram.com/cruzpaulr/ • https://www.facebook.com/skarface3k3 • https://www.youtube.com/@prcruz • https://www.rollingstone.com/author/christopher-cruz/ • https://www.linkedin.com/in/cruz-christopher/ • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiLWAtJsFVQ&t=3s • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECi_2IlhscM • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5WPrTTX7Eg&t=1s • https://www.dia.mil/News-Features/Articles/Article-View/Article/2330239/dia-honors-local-reserve-units-for-intelligence-work/