Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) announced his support for Donald Trump on Tuesday, endorsing the former president's 2024 White House bid and calling the Republican primary race “over.” declared.
The Texas Republican's endorsement comes after Trump's landslide victory in Monday's Iowa caucuses, where the 77-year-old won 51% of the vote and 99% of the vote in the Hawkeye State. They won in 98 of the counties.
“I believe this campaign is over and I am proud to endorse Donald Trump for president of the United States,” Cruz told Fox News host Sean Hannity. “I look forward to supporting him enthusiastically.”
The Texas senator claimed that “it's time for the Republican Party to come together'' ahead of the general election race against President Biden, but called on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley to campaign. They did not go so far as to explicitly request that it be cancelled.
“The people spoke out after last night's results,” Cruz said, calling Trump's victory in Iowa “decisive” and a “resounding victory.”
“It's time to move on to victory in November.”
He acknowledged that the New Hampshire Republican primary on January 23 “could be a close race,” but added, “I don't see a path to victory other than Donald Trump.”
Cruz, who ran against Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primary, is the 24th Republican senator to endorse Trump, a list that includes Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and Sen. Tom Cotton. (R-Arkansas), Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), and Lindsey Vance (R-Ohio). Mr. Graham (RS.C.) – According to hill.
DeSantis and Haley have yet to receive support from a single sitting senator, the paper notes.
