Missouri Rep. Ann Wagner endorsed Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign on Friday.
Wagner’s endorsement came a day after Cruz received his first Senate endorsement from Mike Lee of Utah, and a few days ahead of Missouri’s primary.
“I am proud to endorse Senator Ted Cruz ahead of the GOP Primary on March 15th,” Wagner, who has been in Congress since 2013, said in a statement released by the Cruz campaign. “Republicans must unite to win behind a strong, constitutional conservative like Ted Cruz.”
Cruz is set to be in St. Louis on Saturday at a rally with Carly Fiorina, who suspended her own presidential campaign last month and endorsed Cruz this week.
“Missouri families deserve a trusted conservative leader like Ted Cruz who shares our values and will fight for us in Washington,” said Wagner, a former chair of the Missouri Republican party. “I hope Missourians will join me in voting for Ted Cruz on Tuesday.”
Wagner had originally endorsed former Florida Sen. Jeb Bush, who dropped out of the GOP race in late February following the South Carolina primary.
In the same statement, Cruz praised Wagner, also a former co-chair of the Republican National Committee, as a strong conservative.
“As a mother of three, a businesswoman, and fierce defender of our shared conservative values, Congresswoman Wagner is a wonderful addition to our team,” Cruz said. “Across the nation we are uniting the Republican Party, and I’m excited to have Ann’s support in this Tuesday’s critical Missouri Primary.”
Missouri has 52 delegates available on Tuesday, the fewest of five states voting in primaries, which include Florida, Ohio, Illinois and North Carolina.
