Sen. Ted Cruz voted for Donald Trump this week, capping off a roller coaster relationship with his former presidential primary foe.
The Texas Republican told a local Houston TV station that he “cast a ballot” for his party’s presidential nominee and other GOP candidates up for election.
“I voted straight-ticket Republican,” Cruz said Monday. “I encourage conservatives to come out all across Houston, all across the state of Texas.”
Cruz sparked fury among his party when he refused to endorse Trump at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in July, following a tough primary fight that included Trump insulting Cruz’s father and wife. The eventual nominee took to calling Cruz, who finished second in the delegate count, “Lyin’ Ted” after his victory in the Iowa caucuses.
All of the 2016 GOP White House hopefuls had pledged to support the standard-bearer, but three — Ohio Gov. John Kasich, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) — still refuse to do so.
Cruz endorsed Trump in a Facebook post in late September, after his stance stirred speculation that he could face a Senate primary battle in 2018 from Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. On Monday, reports emerged that former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) strongly pressured McCaul to take the plunge.
Cruz, who has not ruled out a presidential bid in 2020, has been crisscrossing Texas over the past month stumping for the state party. He added on Monday that conservatives need to turn out.
“It’s all about turnout, and that’s why need people to come out and vote,” Cruz said. “It’s why I voted early. You beat the lines on Election Day and you make your voice count.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) both said this week that they voted for Trump.
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source: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/303736-cruz-votes-for-trump
