Story highlights The Wisconsin governor made his formal presidential endorsement announcement on Tuesday

Walker ended his presidential bid in September

Washington (CNN) Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker formally endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz on Tuesday, saying he is "a strong new leader" and "constitutional conservative."

"After all these years of the Obama-Clinton failures, it's time we elect a strong new leader and I've chosen to endorse Ted Cruz," Walker told conservative radio host Charlie Sykes on Newsradio 620 WTMJ Tuesday.

The endorsement could be a pivotal development ahead of Wisconsin's April 5 primary, which is emerging as a key test for the remaining presidential contenders before the 2016 campaign heads east.

When Walker dropped out of the race in September, he said he hoped to clear the field.

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