Senator Ted Cruz (R-Tx.) endorsed his former rival Donald Trump on Friday, writing favorably about Trump’s policies and stressing his opposition to Democrat Hillary Clinton.
“After many months of careful consideration, of prayer and searching my own conscience, I have decided that on Election Day, I will vote for the Republican nominee, Donald Trump,” Cruz declared in a Facebook post.
Trump and Cruz clashed throughout the primaries. Trump called Cruz “Lyin' Ted,” personally attacked his wife, and floated rumors that his Cuban-born father was involved in John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
Towards the end of his campaign Cruz called the nominee a “pathological liar” and snubbed the candidate at the Republican National Convention in July, saying that voters should vote with their “conscience,” a comment that was booed by the attendees at the convention.
“In Cleveland, I urged voters, ‘please, don’t stay home in November. Stand, and speak, and vote your conscience, vote for candidates up and down the ticket whom you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution.’”
According to the post, Cruz’s conscience has shifted to supporting Trump in the election for two reasons.
The first reason being that he signed a pledge during the primaries to support the Republican—a comment indirectly targeting Ohio Governor John Kasich and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush who have yet to endorse the Republican nominee despite taking the pledge.
The second reason is Hillary Clinton. He gave six policy positions to support his rejection of Clinton, which Cruz capped with the hashtag “#NeverHillary,” and why he was embracing his former rival.
“First, and most important, the Supreme Court,” he started. “We are only one justice away from losing our most basic rights, and the next president will appoint as many as four new justices.”
The second point that Cruz made was Obamacare. “If Republicans hold Congress, leadership has committed to passing legislation repealing Obamacare. Clinton, we know beyond a shadow of doubt, would veto that legislation. Trump has said he would sign it.”
