Cruz Throws His Support Behind Controversial Conservative Roy Moore

Another top Republican senators is throwing his weight behind Alabama Senate candidate Judge Roy Moore, the controversial conservative candidate who beat out the state’s President Donald Trump-backed incumbent candidate in the primaries.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) announced his support for Moore on Tuesday in a statement, saying Moore has a “lifelong passion for the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and he has the courage of his convictions.”

“This December, the people of Alabama have a clear choice. They can choose a liberal Democrat, who will stand with Chuck Schumer to raise taxes, weaken our military, open our border, and undermine our constitutional rights,” Cruz said in his statement, referencing Alabama Democratic candidate Doug Jones, who is fully embracing the party’s more liberal positions on abortion, immigration and climate change. “Or they can choose to elect Judge Roy Moore, a conservative who will proudly defend Alabama values.”

Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Mike Lee (R-UT) are also reportedly headlining a campaign fundraising event for Moore in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 1, according to a party invitation obtained by Politico. Both Lee and Paul have already announced their support of Moore’s candidacy. 

Cruz’s show of support isn’t particularly surprising. The Texas Republican is an outspoken conservative and Moore is about as right-wing as they come. Backed by the religious right, Moore was twice ousted from his seat as the chief justice on the Alabama Supreme Court for refusing to remove a monument of the Ten Commandments from the courthouse and telling probate judges to not issue same-sex marriage licenses after it became law in 2015.

Last year, Moore said the legalization of same sex marriage was “worse” than the notorious 1857 Dred Scott case that denied citizenship to African Americans, a ruling credited with helping spark the Civil War.

Cruz is one of the only Republican senators up for re-election that former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon vowed to not go after in his “war” against the GOP establishment. Bannon backed Moore during the Republican run-off primary election, despite his former boss’ endorsement of Moore’s rival Sen. Luther Strange (R-AL).