AUSTIN, Texas

Sen. Ted Cruz renounces his Canadian citizenship

Canada-born U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has given up his citizenship from his birth country, making good on a promise from last summer.

Spokeswoman Catherine Frazier said the tea party favorite formally gave up his citizenship May 14. He received official confirmation of the action at his Houston home Tuesday.

Cruz was born in Alberta, Canada, in 1970. The possible 2016 presidential candidate’s mother is American, making him eligible for the White House.

News that he had renounced his citizenship was first reported by the Dallas Morning News. The newspaper also broke that Cruz had dual Canadian-U.S. citizenship when he released his birth certificate in August.

Frazier said Cruz “is pleased to have the process finalized.”

SALT LAKE CITY

Police officer who refused gay parade assignment resigns

A Salt Lake City police officer who rejected an assignment riding a motorcycle at the front of last weekend’s gay pride parade and was put on leave has now resigned.

Salt Lake City police officials said Tuesday they received written notification of the officer’s resignation. The officer, whose name is being withheld, was put on leave last week after police said he refused to provide traffic control at Sunday’s parade. Police said they would not tolerate bias and bigotry.

Bret Rawson, an attorney hired by the officer, said his client didn’t refuse to work, but asked to be reassigned other duties because he felt uncomfortable being viewed as an advocate for gay pride.

– From news services