Indiana Governor Mike Pence will endorse Texas Senator Ted Cruz on Friday, only days prior to that state’s primary that could make or break the senator’s hopes of halting the march of Donald Trump to the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
Sources that have knowledge of plans by Pence have confirmed that he would be announcing his support of Cruz on Friday.
Cruz teased Pence’s possible endorsement with reporters on Friday morning reminding voters to tune in without making a confirmation of what the Indiana Governor would be saying.
Support from Pence comes prior to the crucial primary on May 3, which could help to determine if Cruz can secure sufficient delegates to prevent the New York billionaire from winning an outright nomination prior to the GOP convention this summer.
Cruz gave praise to Pence during his campaign stops on Friday in Indianapolis saying that he held great respect for the Governor. With Carly Fiorina, his just named running mate at his side, Cruz said Pence has been a great leader for Indiana. He has demonstrated that when taxes are cut, when regulations reduced, that jobs will follow.
Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin and Steve King a Representative from Iowa who are conservative backers of Cruz have helped Cruz to be victorious in other contests in the Midwest.
However, in Indiana, he has not had the support of an influential backer to campaign next to him. In contrast, Trump is holding his events next to Indiana’s legendary former basketball coach at Indiana University Bobby Knight.
Pence is damaged politically in Indiana after the battles he has had over same-sex marriage, an anti-discrimination measure and a new abortion law that is very controversial.
However, his core appeal has been always to the evangelicals who Cruz is hoping will lead him to the much needed victory on Tuesday.
During an interview on the telephone Thursday, Cruz said that he and Pence were a near match philosophically.
Observers have suggested that Pence’s conservative allies were becoming impatient waiting for him leave the sidelines in the primary contests for the Republicans on Tuesday and endorse a candidate.
The primary is worth 57 delegates to the winner in Indiana.
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