Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) announced his support for Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) Wednesday morning ahead of the 9:30 a.m. leadership election.
“This morning, I'm voting for Republican Leader Rick Scott, just as I was two years ago. I helped lead Rick's campaign against McConnell in 2022, and I'm thrilled to be working with him again. I’m proud.”
“I have been unequivocally saying for 12 years that we need to change Republican leadership, and now I am finally going to do it,” he wrote to X.
The last-minute endorsement was a blow to Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who hails from Mr. Cruz's home state and is also running for leadership.
Republicans will meet behind closed doors on Wednesday to choose McConnell's successor.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), head of the U.S. Secret Intelligence Service, speaks during a hearing on the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally convened by the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Homeland Security Committee in Washington, D.C. Questions to Acting Public Officer Ronald Lowe. July 30, 2024. One person was killed and two others were seriously injured, but the former president only suffered minor injuries. (Alison Bailey/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
Cornyn's office did not provide comment to Fox News Digital in time for publication.
“We had a solid, very substantive conversation,” Cruz told reporters Tuesday night after a leadership candidate forum led by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).
However, he did not say whether the vote had been decided or whether he intended to support Cornyn.
Republicans move two seats away from the House majority, giving Trump more room to implement his agenda
The new Senate Republican leader was chosen Wednesday. (Reuters)
Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R.S.D., is also running for leader along with Cornyn and Scott.
Thune and Scott were endorsed by their home states, Sens. Mike Rounds (R.S.D.) and Marco Rubio (R.Fla.), respectively.
Mr. Scott is joined by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.). ), Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Sen. Tommy Tuberville. , Rara.
Mr. Thune has support from Mr. Rounds, Sens. Kevin Cramer (R.N.D.), Sen. John Hoeven (R.N.D.), and Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.).
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U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai questions U.S. Sen. John Thune as she testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on May 12, 2021. Tai appeared before the committee to answer questions about President Biden's 2021 trade policy agenda. (Photo by Susan Walsh/Pool/AFP) (Photo by Susan Walsh/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) (Susan Walsh)
Mr. Cornyn has received public support from Sen. Josh Hawley.
Three candidates are vying for a majority of 27 votes in the 53-member meeting, which could lead to a second vote in a secret ballot.
If one of the candidates loses on the first ballot, it is very likely that some candidates will choose to support another candidate, even if they had supported the other candidate. .
