It is my civic duty, as an American to participate. Not a religious one. God calls us to put HIS kingdom first, not the kingdom of men (politics). You are conflating the two.
I care because I have a 6 month old daughter, because I am proud to be an American, not because I believe it will (or can) bring about the return of Christ (as Cruz believer) nor because I see it as a religious duty. It is not.
Well, that’s where you and I disagree.
I believe that Christ calls us to engage every sphere of society, from family to church to state. There is no cultural sphere from which we are to be disengaged. We can serve His kingdom first through serving in “the kingdom of men.” Salt and light and all that ...
It is good for Christians to aspire to serve in elected office.
You wrote “... bring about the return of Christ (as Cruz believer) ...” Not sure what you’re saying there. Surely you’re not accusing Ted Cruz of believing that if he becomes president, Christ’s return is thereby imminent?