Jeb Bush endorses Ted Cruz for president

(Image credit: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images))

published 23 March 2016

On Wednesday morning, Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) received the endorsement of former GOP presidential rival Jeb Bush. "Ted is a consistent, principled conservative who has demonstrated the ability to appeal to voters and win primary contests," Bush said in a statement. "The only way Republicans can hope to win back the White House and put our nation on a better path is to support a nominee who can articulate how conservative policies will help people rise up and reach their full potential." Bush also took a slap at "the divisiveness and vulgarity Donald Trump has brought into the political arena." Cruz, in the same statement, said he is "truly honored to earn Gov. Jeb Bush's support."

Relations between Cruz and most of the Bush family have been cool for years, but Jeb's brother Neil Bush joined Cruz's campaign earlier this month and Cruz is said to be friendly with Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, Jeb's son. "I commit this from my head, not my heart," Neil Bush told CNN on March 16, explaining his own decision to back Cruz. "If you come at it from the heart, Ted Cruz has offended a lot of people that I'm sure my brothers both know and have worked well with. And he's perceived by some to be kind of, you know, an arrogant guy, I guess." Jeb Bush's backing might open up new sources of political donations, CNN suggests.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.