With a week to go until Wisconsin Republicans hold their winner-take-all primary, Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wisc., endorsed U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, over businessman Donald Trump for the GOP’s presidential nomination.
Walker, who briefly had run for the presidency but dropped out last year after an underwhelming campaign, made the endorsement on Tuesday morning.
“After eight years of the failed Obama-Clinton administration, Americans are looking for real leadership and a new direction," Walker said. "Ted Cruz is a principled constitutional conservative who understands that power belongs to the states – and to the people – and not bureaucrats in Washington. Just like we did in Wisconsin, Ted Cruz is not afraid to challenge the status quo and to stand up against the big government special interests. He is the best-positioned candidate to both win the Republican nomination and defeat Hillary Clinton. That’s why I endorse Ted Cruz for president of the United States."
“Governor Walker has been an outstanding leader in the conservative movement and I’m honored to have his endorsement,” Cruz said. “Gov. Walker courageously stood up to special interests and won in a bitter fight in Wisconsin. His leadership has made a profound impact on the people of Wisconsin and I welcome his advice on how we can unite the Republican Party and defeat Hillary Clinton in November.”
Walker became something of a folk hero for conservatives across the nation for taking on the unions over pension reform and fending off their efforts to recall him and defeat him in the general election back in 2014. While Walker started at the head of the pack in the presidential race, he faded after a series of forgettable debate performances.
The Wisconsin governor becomes the latest former candidate to get behind Cruz, joining the likes of former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., businesswoman Carly Fiorina and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, in backing the Texas senator. Trump has reeled in the endorsements of Dr. Ben Carson and Gov. Chris Christie, R-NJ.
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