Ted Cruz bowed out of the Republican presidential race Tuesday following a crushing loss to Donald Trump in Indiana, clearing the path for the real estate mogul to clinch the GOP nomination.
It was a remarkable turn of events in a presidential primary race that seemed destined — just weeks ago — to end in a contested convention this summer. Even in the final hours of the race in the Hoosier State, Cruz insisted he was staying in the race until June 7 — going so far as to attack his rival during a news conference as a “pathological liar” unfit for the White House.
But the glow of those Cruz victories had faded after Trump won a resounding series of seven straight victories.
“From the beginning I’ve said that I would continue on as long as there was a viable path to victory. Tonight, I’m sorry to say, it appears that path has been foreclosed,” Cruz said during a Tuesday night speech. “The voters chose another path, and so with a heavy heart, but with boundless optimism for the long-term future of our nation, we are suspending our campaign.”
Cruz appeared to be positioning for a political future, saying he would continue to fight for the ideals of his supporters.
Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich were seeking to keep Trump from reaching 1,237 delegates, which would allow them to force a convention fight. That in turn could possibly mean someone other than Trump coming out of as the GOP’s general election candidate.
But that result appeared less likely after Trump’s strong Indiana showing.
“Obviously Trump’s victory in Indiana makes the road ahead more challenging,” a representative from the #NeverTrump PAC said in a Tuesday evening statement, adding that the group will continue to seek to oppose him.