US state judge: Cruz eligible for presidential nomination

A New Jersey judge has ruled that Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz meets the constitutional requirements to be president and may appear on the state’s presidential primary ballot.

Judge Jeff Masin ruled yesterday that a child of a citizen-father or citizen-mother is “indeed a natural born Citizen within the contemplation of the Constitution.”

Cruz, who was born in Calgary, Alberta, to a Cuban father and American mother, faced challenges to being on the June 7 primary ballot from Catholic University of America law professor Victor Williams and the South Jersey Concerned Citizens Committee.

The challengers argued Cruz was a naturalised citizen because he was not born on US soil.

The decision goes to Republican Lt Gov Kim Guadagno, who as secretary of state can accept, reject or modify the ruling.