Ted Cruz Receives a Big Endorsement From a Fellow Texan and Former Presidential Candidate

Former Texas Gov. and two-time Republican candidate for president Rick Perry is throwing his support behind Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in the 2016 race for the White House, the Cruz campaign announced 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," Perry said in a video statement. "That's why I support Ted Cruz for president."

"As an Air Force Veteran, I understand the sacrifices that our men and women in the military make every day to keep us safe. They deserve a commander in chief who values their service, who will keep our military strong, and who will always put America’s national security interests first," the former governor continued. "Ted has proven that he is ready to serve as commander in chief on day one. He has also proven the willingness to take on the Washington Cartel and restore power and opportunity back to the people."

"He's proven that he will do what is necessary to secure our borders, to defeat radical Islamic terrorism, and to ensure that our brave veterans receive the care they've earned," Perry added. "Ted is the leader we need to reignite the promise of America."

[sharequote align="center"]"Ted is the leader we need to reignite the promise of America."[/sharequote]

Cruz, who trails billionaire businessman Donald Trump in national polling, said it is an honor to receive Perry's endorsement.

"Gov. Rick Perry is a friend and a remarkable public servant," Cruz said in a statement. "He is a proud veteran who bravely served our nation, and he was an extraordinary governor of Texas. It was an honor to serve under him during my time as Texas’ Solicitor General. I am thrilled to have Rick join our campaign. With his principled leadership, we will coalesce conservatives behind this campaign to win the White House in 2016."

In addition to Monday's endorsement, Perry is slated to join Cruz on the campaign trail in Iowa Tuesday. He will also join Iowa Rep. Steve King (R) on the campaign trail Wednesday to stump for Cruz, according to Politico.

Perry's endorsement marks the second big-time endorsement for the Cruz campaign in the last two days. On Saturday, conservative radio host and owner of TheBlaze Glenn Beck announced that he, too, was endorsing Cruz for the White House.

With the Iowa caucuses one week away, Donald Trump holds a 5.2-point lead over Cruz in the state, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average.

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