Cruz embraces endorsements, but needs more support to catch up

By Lyndsay Monsen 3/23/2016

Courtesy: Wikipedia

Ted Cruz has received multiple endorsements from former Republican presidential candidates, adding to the anti-Trump force.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush declared his support for Cruz, saying, “For the sake of our party and country, we must move to overcome the divisiveness and vulgarity Donald Trump has brought into the political arena. To win, Republicans need to make this election about proposing solutions to the many challenges we face, and I believe we should vote for Ted as he will do just that.”

The Associated Press is interpreting this endorsement as perhaps a defensive move on Bush’s part, saying it was a step “perhaps designed to hurt Trump more than help the unpopular Texas senator.”

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who dropped out of the 2016 race last fall, also offered his support for Cruz. Walker, though not officially endorsing Cruz, did say, “Senator Cruz is the only one who’s got a chance, other than Donald Trump, to win the nomination. My friend Governor Kasich cannot.”

This announcement comes ahead of Wisconsin’s primary on April 5.

Only three candidates at this point remain in the Republican field: Trump, Cruz, and Ohio Gov. John Kasich. Kasich has vowed to stay in the race until at least the next primary, telling reporters, “There is zero chance that we would drop out before Wisconsin. And there’d be no reason for us to.”

Ultimately, if Cruz wants to secure the GOP nomination, he needs to win 83 percent of the remaining delegates.