Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry endorsed Texas Sen. [crscore]Ted Cruz[/crscore] for president Monday morning.
“2016 is a critical election, and I’m here to stress to you how important it is for conservatives to rally together and support a consistent conservative candidate who will take on Washington, who can defeat the Democrat nominee. That’s why I support Ted Cruz for president,” Perry said in a video posted to Twitter.
.@GovernorPerry: “I am supporting Ted Cruz and asking Iowa Republicans to #CaucusforCruz” #IACaucushttps://t.co/trEtzkkoHg
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 25, 2016
“As an Air Force veteran, I understand the sacrifices that our men and women in the military make every day to keep us safe,” Perry said. “They deserve a commander in chief who values their service, who will keep our military strong and will always put America’s national security interests first. He has proven that he is ready to serve as our commander in chief on day one. He has also proven a willingness to take on the Washington cartel and restore power and opportunity back to the people.”
Perry, a 2012 and former 2016 Republican presidential candidate, served as governor of Texas when Cruz was the state’s solicitor general. Perry told “Fox and Friends” Monday that Cruz is “probably one of the best solicitors I have ever been engaged with on a political front.”
@GovernorPerry endorses @TedCruz for president https://t.co/fCZjhmt3XC
— FOX & Friends (@foxandfriends) January 25, 2016
Cruz began to court Perry’s Texas donors after the governor dropped out of the race, Politico reports.
Perry is expected to hit the campaign trail with Cruz and Republican Rep. [crscore]Steve King[/crscore] in Iowa on Tuesday.