INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is giving Ted Cruz a big boost in his push to stop Donald Trump’s march to the Republican presidential nomination.
Pence will endorse Cruz on Friday afternoon, for the state’s primary Tuesday. That’s according to a Republican official with direct knowledge of the endorsement who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to share the news before the announcement.
Cruz needs a victory in Indiana after getting swept by Trump in five Northeastern states earlier in the week. He said earlier Friday that he would “enthusiastically welcome” Pence’s endorsement.
The endorsement marks a setback for Trump, who had appealed to the governor not to take such a step.
An Indiana victory would all but ensure Trump becomes the presumptive nominee.
Even with an Indiana loss, however, he could clinch the nomination with a strong performance in California on June 7.