By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Tuesday, March 29, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (R) announced that he was endorsing US Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to be the next President of the United States.
Gov. Walker said, “After eight years of the failed Obama-Clinton Administration, Americans are looking for real leadership and a new direction. Ted Cruz is a principled constitutional conservative who understands that power belongs to the states – and to the people – and not bureaucrats in Washington. Just like we did in Wisconsin, Ted Cruz is not afraid to challenge the status quo and to stand up against the big government special interests. He is the best-positioned candidate to both win the Republican nomination and defeat Hillary Clinton. That’s why I endorse Ted Cruz for President of the United States.”
Sen. Cruz said in a statement, “Governor Walker has been an outstanding leader in the conservative movement and I’m honored to have his endorsement. Gov. Walker courageously stood up to special interests and won in a bitter fight in Wisconsin. His leadership has made a profound impact on the people of Wisconsin and I welcome his advice on how we can defeat Donald Trump in the primary and Hillary Clinton in November.”
The Wisconsin Republican Primary will be held on Tuesday, April 5.
Republican delegate front runner New York City billionaire businessman and reality television star Donald Trump responded characteristically with a statement on Twitter, “After the way I beat Gov. Scott Walker (and Jeb, Rand, Marco and all others) in the Presidential Primaries, no way he would ever endorse me!”
Wisconsin has 42 delegates at stake in a hybrid winner take all type primary. 18 delegates will be awarded to the statewide winner and 3 delegates will be awarded to each of eight congressional districts for a total of 24 additional delegates.
It is virtually impossible for Ted Cruz to win the nomination without going to a brokered convention; but Trump has a clear path though to win he needs to win most of the remaining states. Cruz has been urging Ohio Governor John Kasich to drop out of the race since Kasich has no mathematical way of winning the nomination outright. Kasich to this point has been content to stay in the race and continue to accumulate delegates in hopes of being a force at a brokered convention in Cleveland this summer.
The Wisconsin Democratic Primary election is also on Tuesday, April 5. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D) has seen her delegate lead shrink recently to rival US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) as Sanders has won the last five contests. Clinton needs to get back on a winning track or she will go to the Democratic convention at the mercy of the Democratic Party’s many super delegates, though far more super delegates have publicly pledged to Sec. Clinton than to Sen. Sanders. Those pledges however are not binding in any way.
