On Wednesday morning, former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., endorsed U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, for the Republican presidential nomination, insisting the Lone Star State Republican represented the best chance to stop businessman Donald Trump from being the GOP’s candidate.
While he won the Utah caucus on Tuesday night, Trump carried Arizona, a winner take all state, and has the lead in the delegate count. Gov. John Kasich, R-Ohio, stands in distant third.
"Today, I am endorsing Ted Cruz for president," said Bush. "Ted is a consistent, principled conservative who has demonstrated the ability to appeal to voters and win primary contests. Washington is broken, and the only way Republicans can hope to win back the White House and put our nation on a better path is to support a nominee who can articulate how conservative policies will help people rise up and reach their full potential."
Bush then turned his fire on Trump. Earlier in the campaign, when Bush had been a candidate, he and Trump engaged in some fierce exchanges. Bush failed to place well in New Hampshire and South Carolina, states that Trump carried, and ended his campaign last month.
“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, or we will certainly lose our chance to defeat the Democratic nominee and reverse President Obama’s failed policies,” Bush said. “To win, Republicans need to make this election about proposing solutions to the many challenges we face, and I believe that we should vote for Ted as he will do just that.”
"I'm truly honored to earn Gov. Jeb Bush's support," said Cruz. "Gov. Bush was an extraordinary governor of Florida, and his record of job creation and education innovation left a lasting legacy for millions of Floridians. His endorsement today is further evidence that Republicans are continuing to unite behind our campaign to nominate a proven conservative to defeat Hillary Clinton in November, take back the White House, and ensure a freer and more prosperous America for future generations."
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., an old ally of Bush, had made a play for the former governor's support before the Florida primary last week. But Bush remained on the sidelines and Rubio bowed out after losing to Trump in the Sunshine State.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @ KevinDerbySSN
