Raphael "Ted" Cruz wants voters to see him as a warrior for conservative causes. In an hour's conversation, he uses the word "fight" 24 times. Propping his black cowboy boots on an ottoman, he lays out how he would represent Texas in the Senate: "If I don't have arrows up and down my torso, I won't be doing my job."
Most candidates say they will fight for their values, but Mr. Cruz's promise has captured the imagination of conservative leaders. Sarah Palin, tea-party kingmaker Sen. Jim DeMint (R., S.C.), the small-government group Club for Growth and others hope Mr. Cruz ...