Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said Monday that the 2016 GOP nomination contest is likely to come down to a one-on-one battle between himself and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.
“Ultimately, it’s probably going to come down to me against him,” Mr. Trump said on NBC’s “Today” program. “I have a very, very big lead right now. You know I like to win, and you know I win. Let’s see what happens.”
Mr. Trump had been asked whether there was any sort of deal with Mr. Cruz where the two candidates would avoid criticizing one another. Mr. Trump said there was not a deal, that the two “just get along” and that Mr. Cruz has backed him on issues like illegal immigration.
“Ultimately, I’m sure [the] peace will end, because at some point we’re going to have to go after each other,” Mr. Trump said.
In a new trio of early state polls, Mr. Cruz has a 9 point advantage over Mr. Trump in Iowa, while Mr. Trump has an 18-point lead over Mr. Cruz in New Hampshire and a 15-point lead over Mr. Cruz in South Carolina.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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