Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican, is urging conservatives to unite behind GOP Rep. Bill Cassidy, who is headed to a December runoff against Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu in Louisiana.
Republican Rob Maness, who had attracted support from conservative figures like former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, came in third in the race with about 14 percent of the vote. Ms. Landrieu won about 42 percent and Mr. Cassidy about 41 percent; a candidate had to crack 50 percent to win outright on Tuesday.
“Rob Maness ran a strong campaign and he’s a good man,” Mr. Cruz wrote in a fundraising e-mail for Mr. Cassidy. “But now that the primary is behind us, I encourage you to unite around Bill Cassidy so we can defeat Mary Landrieu.”
“It is essential that conservatives across the country like you stand with Bill to make sure President Obama does not have another far-left vote in the Senate,” Mr. Cruz wrote.
Mr. Cruz, a possible 2016 GOP presidential contender, would not commit to supporting presumptive Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, for the leadership post earlier this week but said he hoped Republicans can come together to present a positive agenda to the American people.
“I hope that we see Republicans unite - every Republican unite in the Senate and stand together and deliver on the promises that we’ve been making on the campaign trail,” he said on CNN.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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