INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – In a setback for Donald Trump, Indiana’s governor is endorsing chief rival Ted Cruz before the state’s critical Republican primary contest.
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John Zody, Chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party, released the following statement after Governor Mike Pence formally endorsed Ted Cruz for President of the United States.
“I urge every Hoosier to make up their own mind”, he said.
The governor said Mr Cruz was a “principled conservative”, adding he was “very impressed” with his knowledge of the USA constitution.
The high profile endorsement the Governor comes as Ted Cruz lobbies to win the state of IN which he says will stop Trump from getting the required 1,237 delegates.
Trump was in California on Friday ahead of its June 7 primary, when the most convention delegates of the Republican nominating cycle will be at stake.
The poll found that 57 percent of Cruz’s supporters are women, compared with 44.8 percent for Trump, who has made disparaging remarks about certain women during his campaign.
Cruz was scheduled to continue barnstorming IN on Friday, with stops planned IN Indianapolis, Evansville and Jeffersonville.
A poll released by Clout Research on Friday shows the billionaire businessman holding a two point advantage over Cruz in IN with Ohio Gov. John Kasich trailing in a distant third.
Donald Trump is launching a negative advertisement in IN that aims to put Texas Sen.
Bush said he is “hopeful” Trump will not win on the first ballot at the GOP convention this summer, increasing the chances that Cruz could secure the nomination on a subsequent ballot. Cruz’s campaign called it an endorsement; Pence did not use the word. “[She’s] someone who’s got a proven record, who’s been vetted by a candidate, I thought it was a smart move”.
But Pence hedged his bets while he fawned over Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump. “I see Ted Cruz as a principled conservative who’s dedicated his career to advocating the Reagan agenda”, said Pence, referring to Republican President Ronald Reagan.
Mr Trump, meanwhile, has been holding rallies alongside legendary former Indiana University basketball coach Bobby Knight.
He said: “Some people who don’t believe in free speech didn’t want Donald Trump to come in here today”.
So, what the Star’s editorial board has done is to say that Clinton and Kasich offer IN voters the best choices IN the primary, then IN the final paragraph of the editorial said “We are withholding a formal endorsement IN either race”.
Republican presidential candidate John Kasich visited Oregon Thursday to court voters in advance of the state’s May 17 primary. “And that was a perfectly reasonable decision”, Cruz said.
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“I know I’m going to be listening”. “He has not used his influence in the conservative movement to rally against Trump”.
