Rep. Steve King, (R) Iowa, announced Monday morning that he will endorse Texas Sen.
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King’s endorsement also brings a few controversy: an ardent conservative, King is best known for his fervent opposition to illegal immigration and history of colorful comments on the subject.
Abby Livingston contributed reporting from SC.
Citing concerns over abortion, same-sex marriage, a porous border, and “Obama’s feckless foreign policy”, King said he believed Cruz was the only candidate who could “unite conservatives around his campaign and build the organization needed to beat Hillary Clinton”. I’ve had the great privilege of getting to know 15, even 17, Republican candidates for president, and I’m looking at them respecting and liking all of them. Cruz is scheduled to speak at the forum, along with Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, and Rick Santorum. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) for president, a major get for the presidential hopeful in the early caucus state of Iowa.
If The Family Leader were to join King in backing Cruz it could clear a path for him and deal a huge blow to the other candidates trying to compete in the same lane.
“I can’t thank Steve enough and know that his help gives us a significant advantage as we continue to grow and have success in Iowa and across the nation”, added Cruz. During the 2013 fight over a sweeping bipartisan immigration reform bill, which Cruz’s rival Sen. King made a similar move in late 2007, publicly throwing his support behind Fred Thompson in the lead up to the 2008 Iowa Caucuses. His son works for the pro-Cruz super PAC Keep the Promise in Iowa.
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The timing also means the Iowa Freedom Summit, the cattle call King held last January that launched Scott Walker’s moment in the stars, is unlikely to happen with the congressman’s involvement.
