Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry has endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas for president, saying Mr. Cruz is the most “consistent conservative” who has a chance to win the Republican primary contest.
“Of those individuals who have a chance to win the Republican primary, at this juncture, from my perspective, Ted Cruz is by far the most consistent conservative in that crowd,” Mr. Perry told Politico Sunday night. “And that appears to be down to two people.”
Mr. Perry suspended his own 2016 presidential campaign in September. He had previously said he thought the American people were going to move away from a young, untested U.S. senator in President Obama, and had used the analogy that picking a nominee with limited experience would be like getting on a plane with a new pilot.
“Gov. Scott Walker, Bobby Jindal, Rick Perry, Jeb’s barely making an impact out there — those are very skilled, very successful, very experienced governors,” Mr. Perry told Politico. “But the electorate doesn’t want that. That’s why we have elections, why we democratically select leaders.”
Mr. Perry said he’s very satisfied that Mr. Cruz will be ready to be commander-in-chief on day one.
The former Texas governor is the second high-profile former 2016 GOP presidential candidate to make an endorsement this month, following Sen. Lindsey Graham’s backing of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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