Updated at 7:55 a.m. ET
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) presidential campaign on Wednesday morning, urging Republicans in a statement to prevent Donald Trump from securing the nomination.
“Ted is a consistent, principled conservative who has demonstrated the ability to appeal to voters and win primary contests,” Bush said in a statement, according to Politico.
“For the sake of our party and country, we must move to overcome the divisiveness and vulgarity Donald Trump has brought into the political arena, or we will certainly lose our chance to defeat the Democratic nominee and reverse President Obama’s failed policies,” Bush continued in the statement.
.@JebBush endorses @tedcruz today calling him “consistent, principled..” pic.twitter.com/9WOZRaN42K
— Kelly O’Donnell (@KellyO) March 23, 2016
Bush and Cruz finalized the endorsement on Monday, according to Politico.
In a Facebook post published Wednesday morning, Bush confirmed his endorsement of Cruz, describing the Texas senator as the candidate who can unite Republicans.
“Republicans can win back the White House and put our nation on a path to security and prosperity if we support a nominee who can unite our party and articulate how conservative policies will help people rise up and reach their full potential,” he wrote.