Report: Arizona congressman officially endorses Ted Cruz
Mar 11, 2016, 2:31 PM
Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during a campaign rally at Central Baptist Church in Kannapolis, N.C., Tuesday, March 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
(AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
PHOENIX — An Arizona congressman reportedly endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz’s run for the White House on Friday.
U.S. Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona has endorsed @tedcruz for president, Cruz's campaign announces.
— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) March 11, 2016
An official announcement was not posted on Cruz’s social media accounts or website as of Friday afternoon, though Franks had perviously spoken highly of both Cruz and another Republican candidate, Marco Rubio.
Franks’ endorsement could not come at a better time for Cruz, who finds himself in an uphill battle against Republican frontrunner Donald Trump just weeks before Arizona’s presidential preference election.
A recent poll said 37.3 percent of Arizona Republicans plan to support Trump in the March 22 election, while 23.3 percent said they are backing Cruz.
Prior to his endorsement of Cruz, Franks said Cruz and Rubio should band together on a joint ticket to beat the Democrats. He said both have “proven full-spectrum conservative records” and they should establish a joint ticket to run for president and vice president.
Franks said he believes Trump’s inconsistencies and shifting stances on national security, the free market, abortion and traditional family values are significant issues.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
