Although not unexpected, the nod from Abbott is the clearest sign yet that the Texas Republican establishment is backing their freshman senator in his presidential ambitions.
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Cruz and Trump both had 32 percent support from likely and actual GOP primary voters, with a 3.9 percent margin of error.
Republican U.S. presidential candidates Senator Ted Cruz (L) and businessman Donald Trump directly debate each other at the Republican U.S. presidential candidates debate sponsored by CBS News and the Republican National Committee in Greenville, South Carolina February 13, 2016. He said there needed to be a change in Washington, D.C. and Americans needed a leader like Ted Cruz. Several of those candidates have already suspended their campaigns but were included in the poll because all of their names remain on the Texas ballot. At a Las Vegas rally Monday night, Trump called Cruz “sick” and said there was “something wrong with this guy”.
Members of the GROUP that prefer Rubio said Tuesday they will defect if Cruz doesn’t at least win Texas on March 1.
Cruz has often spoken highly of the governor on the campaign trail and recalled his time working under Abbott as solicitor general.
Donald Trump has once again set his sights on Texas Sen.
But Cruz told O’Reilly that his plan actually goes further than Trump’s, because it would bar deported immigrants from reentering the U.S. In the past, Trump promised that his wall would have “a big, fat handsome door” for immigrants who are deported but later get their papers straightened out. Ted Cruz, the stakes in his home state are immeasurable. “In spite of your poll, the Texas Tribune poll and Emerson survey (which showed Cruz with a one point lead), I still would be very, very surprised if Cruz does not win Texas”.
Cruz now has the support of the two most powerful elected officials in Texas: Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, as well as former Gov. Rick Perry. “It’ll be the people of Texas who will stand together”, he said, “and say, ‘enough is enough”‘. Marco Rubio is a distant third at 17-percent.
Trump focused his rally on Tuesday night’s caucuses, asking the crowd in Sparks if his supporters knew they’re plan. Trump’s voters said “improve the economy” and “reform immigration policy” were their top reasons for voting.
“Now Texas is in a position to make a choice”, said Cuz.
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Still, some say time is running out for Cruz.
