Thompson said he believes an Ohio win would lead to a win in Wisconsin for Kasich, and after that it would be "a whole new ball game."

Cruz rolled out his own set of endorsements last month, with state Sen. Duey Stroebel, R-Saukville, serving as chairman of the campaign's Wisconsin efforts.

Stroebel said he was sold on Cruz when the candidate spoke against ethanol mandates like the Renewable Fuel Standard during a presidential forum in Iowa.

"He was the only candidate who went there and made those statements in that hotbed of ethanol, and came out as the winner," Stroebel said. "I admire that, and that’s the type of leader we need in this country now."

Stroebel appreciates the way Cruz "bucks the establishment" and refuses to cave to special interests, he said.

The Cruz campaign has opened four offices in Wisconsin, Stroebel said, and believes it can succeed here.