With enormous pressure on Ted Cruz to win the Indiana primary, the Texas senator nabbed the support of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R), who said he would be voting for Cruz in next week’s primary while adding, “I like and respect all three of the Republican candidates.”
In an appearance Friday on Greg Garrison’s radio show in Indiana, Pence praised Cruz for his willingness to “stand up for taxpayers,” for his “devotion and knowledge” of the Constitution, and for his anti-abortion record. However, his statement of support for Cruz was not the rebuke of Donald Trump that #NeverTrump-ers were likely hoping for.
Pence stressed that his support of Cruz is not a statement of opposition to Trump, or Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
“I am not against anybody, but I will be voting for Ted Cruz in the Republican primary,” Pence said. Before declaring his decision to vote for Cruz, he praised Trump for giving a “voice to the frustration of millions of working Americans” and lated added that he intends to support whoever is ultimately nominated to top the GOP’s 2016 ticket.
He also said residents of his state should make their own decision when it comes to how they vote next Tuesday.
“I urge every Hoosier to make up their own mind,” he said.
The delegate math for the GOP presidential primary makes Indiana a must-win state for Cruz and everyone who seeks to block Trump from reaching the 1,237 delegates required to win the nomination outright, election analysts have said. Cruz’s best hope is that the primary goes to a contested convention, as there is no path for him to reach 1,237 in the remaining primaries.
