Eighteen legislators, Arkansas Secretary of State announce Cruz support
by February 24, 2016 5:21 pm 857 views
Eighteen Republican legislators and Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin (R) offered their endorsement of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, for president during a press conference at the state capitol on Wednesday (Feb. 24).
Rep. Bob Ballinger, R-Hindsville, is chairing the leadership team. Other legislative supporters are: Sen. Linda Collins-Smith, Pocahontas; Sen. Terry Rice, Waldron; Sen. Gary Stubblefield, Branch; Sen. Scott Flippo, Bull Shoals; Rep. Kim Hammer, Benton; Rep. Donnie Copeland, Little Rock; Rep. Bruce Cozart, Hot Springs; Rep. John Payton, Wilburn; Rep. C. Brandt Smith, Jr., Jonesboro; Rep. Rick Beck, Center Ridge; Rep. Mary Bentley, Perryville; Rep. Justin Gonzales, Okolona; Rep. Stephen Meeks, Greenbrier; Rep. Michelle Gray, Melbourne; Rep. Dan Sullivan, Jonesboro; Rep. Robin Lundstrum, Springdale; and Rep. Jack Ladyman, Jonesboro.
Republican National Committeewoman Jonelle Fulmer is also part of the leadership team.
Ballinger said Cruz will travel to Arkansas this weekend in advance of the March 1 primary elections. Cruz is expected to be in Little Rock on Saturday night and in Northwest Arkansas on Sunday morning, with other events possible. Details of the visit are forthcoming. It will be Cruz’s third trip to Arkansas, where he previously has appeared at a total of four events.
Two of Cruz’s opponents are also expected to visit Arkansas before the primaries. The campaign of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., announced he will visit the state Monday, Feb. 29. Donald Trump is scheduled to host an event at noon Saturday at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport.
Rubio has been endorsed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson, U.S. Reps. Rick Crawford and Steve Womack, Lt. Governor Tim Griffin, and about 30 legislators.
During the press conference, Ballinger and Martin described Cruz as a fighter.
“He is an individual who has been bold and willing to take a stand,” Ballinger said, adding that Cruz does not have the support of the “D.C. cartel.”
Martin said Cruz is the only candidate in the Republican primary who has won a state besides Donald Trump. Cruz won Iowa. He said Republicans win independents when they offer a contrast with Democrats, not when they offer “lukewarm candidates.” He said Rubio doesn’t have a realistic path to winning the nomination, while Trump would lose the general election.
“Ted Cruz is the only one that can win both the nomination and the general election, giving Republicans the White House,” he said.