Jeb Bush endorses Ted Cruz for Republican nomination

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush endorsed Ted Cruz Wednesday for the Republican presidential nomination.

“I wanted you all to be the first to know that today I am endorsing Ted Cruz for President,” Bush said in a statement.

“Ted is a consistent, principled conservative who has demonstrated the ability to appeal to voters and win primary contests, including yesterday’s Utah caucus,” Bush said, referring to one of three votes held Tuesday.

Bush, who dropped out of the presidential race last month after a disappointing campaign, said the Republican Party has to unite or face certain defeat in the election, probably to Hillary Clinton.

In doing so he took a pot shot at frontrunner Donald Trump, who leads Cruz comfortably in the polls.

“For the sake of our party and country, we must overcome the divisiveness and vulgarity Donald Trump has brought into the political arena or we will certainly lose our chance to defeat the Democratic nominee, most likely Hillary Clinton, this fall,” the statement said.