The 2016 Blast The latest POLITICO scoops and coverage of the 2016 elections. Email Sign Up

Tweets from https://twitter.com/politico/lists/team-politico



South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who until recently openly detested Ted Cruz, now supports him and will headline a fundraiser for him. | AP Photo Lindsey Graham throws support to Ted Cruz

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham has thrown his support to Ted Cruz, calling him "the best alternative" to Donald Trump.

According to an invitation obtained by POLITICO, Graham will headline a fundraiser for Cruz on Monday.

Graham is the second senator to publicly support Cruz, and his support for his colleague is a marker of how far the GOP establishment has shifted: Graham, a more centrist South Carolina senator, until recently openly detested his colleague from Texas, saying that choosing between Cruz and Trump was akin to choosing between being shot and poisoned. But in recent weeks, as he grew increasingly alarmed by Trump, Graham started to suggest publicly that Cruz stood the best chance of beating Trump. On Thursday, he joined fellow South Carolina Republican Nikki Haley, the state's governor who was previously supporting Rubio, in backing Cruz.

"’Backing' Cruz or ‘supporting,’ yes,” confirmed Graham communications director Kevin Bishop on Thursday.

According to the invitation reviewed by POLITICO, which could be in its draft stages, Graham will headline a fundraiser for Cruz on Monday at Clyde’s Gallery Place. Tickets start at $1,000.

The event, which is held the same day Cruz will address the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, is described as a fundraiser to “honor and support a great friend of Israel, and the Jewish people, and the next President of the United States, Ted Cruz.”

"He's the best alternative to Donald Trump,” Graham said in a statement.

Graham's backing comes as Cruz seeks to consolidate the anti-Trump faction of the GOP around his campaign.