JACKSON, MISS– The presidential race for Senator Ted Cruz has come to a close, following Donald Trump’s win in Indiana.
“I’ve said I would continue on as long as there was a viable path to victory; tonight I’m sorry to say it appears that path has been foreclosed,” Cruz told supporters in Indianapolis, “With a heavy heart, but with boundless optimism for the long-term future of our nation, we are suspending our campaign.”
Cruz continues by saying that he is not suspending the fight for liberty.
Donald Trump holds 1,041 of the 1,237 delegates needed for the nomination. 526 are still available.
Trump won 45 of the 57 Indiana delegates, amassing over 480,000 votes. Cruz trailed at 337,657.
Cruz made a stop in Florence on March 7th, ahead of the state primaries.
“Donald Trump is not the best candidate to go against Hillary Clinton,” Cruz said that day. By the time Cruz’s campaign reached Mississippi, Donald Trump had been defeated seven times.
Donald Trump has now won the last seven states, and held nearly double the delegates Cruz did. Cruz exited the campaign with 565 delegates. John Kasich, who also campaigned in the Magnolia state, holds 153 delegates.
Only nine states remain in the race for the nomination.
Donald Trump tweeted: “Lyin’ Ted Cruz consistently said that he will, and must, win Indiana. If he doesn’t he should drop out of the race-stop wasting time & money” just moments before the race was called for Trump.
Congressman Steven Palazzo in D.C. took to Facebook to not only congratulate Trump on tonight’s win, but to make his official statement of support.
“Tonight I’m announcing my support for Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for president of the United States. It is time that all Republicans, no matter their preferred candidate, unite behind Mr. Trump to take on Hillary Clinton in November.
Donald Trump won Mississippi’s primary overwhelmingly, and he has continued to win large portions of the country. His victory tonight cements the fact that he will be our Republican nominee, and I will unconditionally support the Republican nominee.
Any Republican is better than Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump is now that Republican. We must now turn the entirety of our efforts to defeating Mrs. Clinton in November, and I hope all Republicans will join me in this effort.”
