Jeb Bush has officially endorsed his former rival Ted Cruz, believing he is the only cure for Donald Trump’s “division and vulgarity.”
“Today, I endorse Ted Cruz for president,” Bush said in a statement. “Ted is a consistent, principled conservative who has demonstrated the ability to attract voters and win primaries. Washington is broken, and the only way Republicans can hope to reclaim the White House and set our country on a better path is to endorse a candidate who can articulate how conservative policies will help people rise up and reach their full potential.”
“For the good of our party and our country, we must take action to overcome the division and vulgarity that Donald Trump has brought to the political arena, or we will surely lose our chance to defeat the Democratic nominee and reverse the failed policies of President Obama,” he continued. “To win, Republicans must make the election about proposing solutions to the many challenges we face, and I believe we should vote for Ted because he will do just that.”
Bush’s endorsement came more than a month after he dropped out of the race and eight days after Marco Rubio dropped out. Rubio likely counted on his fellow Floridian’s support, but never received it.
“Jeb has concluded that Marco is not fit to be president. It was never a serious discussion,” a GOP source said. Political.
While some wonder whether the endorsement came too delayed, it is nonetheless crucial to Cruz gaining support among mainstream Republicans.
Bush’s endorsement is a huge boost for Cruz from the GOP establishment that he has been unable to secure as party regulars rush to contain Trump, who dominates the delegate race, and it comes as he faces stiff competition from Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who remains in the race and is courting the same major GOP donors that Cruz now desperately needs.
A source close to Bush said, “Senator Cruz also met with Gov. Bush in Miami before the last Republican debate (as did Kasich and Rubio). Senator Cruz has demonstrated an ability to unite voters and win primaries (which is key at this point). They have mutual respect for each other. He is the absolute best Republican candidate to beat Donald Trump and then Hillary Clinton.”
The Bush source continued, “This is NOT an anti-John Kasich endorsement. Governor Bush has tremendous respect for John Kasich and has enjoyed spending time with Governor Kasich over the past year — he thinks he’s a good guy and a good governor. At this point, the best path to victory is to support the candidate who has been able to win the states and get voters out there.”
“I am truly honored to have earned the endorsement of Governor Jeb Bush,” Cruz said in a statement. “Governor Bush was an extraordinary governor of Florida, and his record of job creation and educational innovation left a lasting legacy for millions of Floridians. His endorsement today is further evidence that Republicans continue to unite behind our campaign to nominate a proven conservative who will defeat Hillary Clinton in November, reclaim the White House, and ensure a freer and more prosperous America for generations to come.”
