U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) endorsed former State Senator Bill Hightower’s (R-Mobile) campaign for Congress on Thursday.
Cruz announced the endorsement via tweet, saying, “I’m proud to support and endorse [Bill Hightower] for Congress in #AL01”
Widely thought of as one of the most conservative members of Congress, Cruz placed second in the 2016 Republican presidential primary and is beloved by conservative activists across the United States.
“I am honored to have his support for our campaign for Congress,” Hightower said of Cruz.
The former state senator added, “Senator Cruz has been a trusted conservative fighter who has earned the reputation as a powerful advocate for the unborn, religious liberty, and the conservative values that make us the greatest nation in the history of the world.”
Cruz often seeks out candidates in Republican primaries he feels are more conservative than their opponents, and he appears to have made that decision about Hightower.
“I am proud to endorse Bill Hightower for Congress in Alabama’s 1st congressional district. Bill is a trusted leader who has fought for the unborn, for protecting our religious liberties, and for fiscal responsibility in Alabama,” said Cruz in a statement provided by Hightower’s campaign
“I’m confident Bill will fight alongside me in Washington as we combat the radical left that is trying to move our nation away from the free market to socialism. I urge you to join me in supporting Bill Hightower for Congress,” added Cruz.
Endorsements made by Cruz are often based on a candidate’s conservative bona fides more than any other factor. Cruz endorsed Kevin Stitt to become governor of Oklahoma and Stitt won that race, but Cruz endorsed Patrick Colbeck to become governor of Michigan before Colbeck placed third in the Republican primary.
Hightower is currently in a primary runoff election against Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl to represent the First Congressional District.
In the initial March 3 open primary Hightower placed second to Carl by the narrowest of margins. Carl received 1,226 more votes than Hightower out of over 99,000 ballots returned.
Since the March 3 primary, Carl has received the endorsements of third and fourth place finishers Chris Pringle and Wes Lambert, respectively.
Hightower has been endorsed by former Pennsylvania Governor Rick Santorum and the conservative group Eagle Forum.
Hightower also continues to be actively backed by the conservative organization Club for Growth, which has spent over $900,000 with the goal of Hightower winning the primary.
The primary runoff election will be held on July 14.
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Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: henry@new-yhn.local or on Twitter @HenryThornton95
