Cruz Lands Indiana Governor Mike Pence’s Endorsement

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Indiana Gov. Mike Pence speaks during the Indiana Republican Party Spring Dinner Thursday, April 21, 2016, in Indianapolis.

Darron Cummings/AP


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Darron Cummings/AP

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence speaks during the Indiana Republican Party Spring Dinner Thursday, April 21, 2016, in Indianapolis.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence speaks during the Indiana Republican Party Spring Dinner Thursday, April 21, 2016, in Indianapolis.

Darron Cummings/AP

Ahead of the potentially pivotal Indiana primary Tuesday, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence announced he will be voting for Republican candidate Ted Cruz.

“This is a time for choosing,” Pence said on WIBC radio in Indianapolis. He called Cruz, a senator from Texas, a “principled conservative” who “stood up for taxpayers” in fighting spending in Washington, said he was “very impressed” with his “knowledge and devotion” to the Constitution and his “strong, unwavering stand” against abortion rights.

But Pence seemed to go out of his way to praise Donald Trump. He also stressed that his endorsement was not intended to sway the votes of Indiana Republicans.

“I respect the right of every Hoosier in making their determination,” Pence said, adding, “I encourage everyone to make up their own mind.”

In fact, Pence mentioned Trump before mentioning his endorsement of Cruz.

“I like and respect all three of the candidates,” Pence began. “I particularly want to commend Donald Trump,” who Trump said has given voice to people’s frustrations. He said he was “grateful” for Trump at least twice – for taking a stand for Hoosier jobs. And “for his voice in the national debate. I’m not against anybody, but I will be voting for Ted Cruz in the Republican primary.”

And, he added, “Let me be very, very clear on this … whoever wins the Republican nomination I’m going to work my heart out for this fall.”

Pence’s endorsement was closely watched, in part because he’ll be on the ballot this fall as a candidate for re-election, and because in the past, he’s been seen as a possible Republican presidential candidate.

Article source: http://www.npr.org/2016/04/29/476171657/cruz-lands-indiana-governor-mike-pences-endorsement?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=news

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