Trump gives Sen. Ted Cruz a boost in tough Texas battle

Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has his “complete and total endorsement,” aiming to boost the Republican against a resilient Democratic opponent.

Mr. Trump said he backed Mr. Cruz verbally during the senator’s bid for a third term but felt the need to detail his support in writing on Truth Social.

“Senator Ted Cruz is doing a tremendous job representing the Great People of Texas, a State I love and WON BIG in 2016 and 2020, and, based on the Polls, will win even bigger in November,” Mr. Trump posted.

The former president offered his support as Mr. Cruz battles a tough opponent for the second cycle in a row.

The Democratic nominee, Rep. Colin Allred, is a former NFL player who trails Mr. Cruz by the low single digits in most polls.

Mr. Allred is painting Mr. Cruz as an out-of-touch and unlikeable politician. He recently poked fun at Mr. Cruz for his infamous trip to Cancun during a winter disaster in Texas in February 2021.

“Imagine Cruz taking that same little roller bag and walking right out of the Capitol,” the congressman told supporters.

A Democratic win in the Senate race would be a shocking upset in deep-red Texas.

Mr. Cruz has been in this position before — he edged out Beto O’Rourke in 2018 by fewer than 3 percentage points. The senator is attacking Mr. Allred over his positions on the southern border and his House vote against a bill that would ban transgender athletes from girls’ sports.

“Ted is one of the strongest Senators in the Country on Border Security, whereas his Opponent, Colin Allred, is a Radical Open Border Extremist, who will put our Country, and Safety, LAST,” Mr. Trump wrote in his endorsement.

Mr. Trump said Mr. Cruz played a key role in passing the 2017 GOP tax overhaul and is working to tame inflation through his role on the Senate Commerce Committee.

“Ted Cruz has my Complete and Total Endorsement — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!” Mr. Trump said.