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Cruz fights for survival as Trump eyes Indiana knockout

Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, right, exchanges words with Donald Trump supporters during a campaign visit to Marion, Ind., on Monday, May 2, 2016.
Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, right, exchanges words with Donald Trump supporters during a campaign visit to Marion, Ind., on Monday, May 2, 2016.
photo Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign stop Monday, May 2, 2016, in South Bend, Ind.
photo Republican presidential candidate John Kasich arrives to Central Medford High School in Medford, Ore. on Thursday, April 28, 2016. (Jamie Lusch/The Medford Mail Tribune via AP)
photo Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton talks with Bo Copley and his wife Lauren, while holding a photograph of their children, after a round table discussion at Williamson Health and Wellness Center in Williamson, W.Va., Monday, May 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
photo Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, speaks during a campaign event Sunday, May 1, 2016, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

OSCEOLA, Ind. – Ted Cruz’s conservative crusade for the presidency fought for new life Monday ahead of an Indiana vote that could effectively end the GOP’s primary season. The fiery Texas senator hinted at an exit strategy, even as he vowed to compete to the end against surging Republican front-runner Donald Trump.

“I am in for the distance – as long as we have a viable path to victory,” Cruz told reporters after campaigning at a popular breakfast stop.

With his supporters fearing Cruz could lose a seventh consecutive state Tuesday, the candidate’s formulation hinted at a time when he may give up.

Like Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Cruz is already mathematically eliminated from reaching a delegate majority before the Republican Party’s national convention in July. He retreated to Indiana more than a week ago, hoping a win could at least help him deny Trump an outright primary victory and lead to a contested convention.

But a recent poll of likely Indiana voters showed Trump holding a commanding lead.