Story highlights Former Republican presidential candidate and businesswomen Carly Fiorina endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz at a rally in Miami Wednesday

The surprise endorsement comes as Cruz tries to consolidate GOP support and challenge front-runner businessman Donald Trump for the Republican nomination

(CNN) Former Republican presidential candidate and businesswomen Carly Fiorina endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz at a rally in Miami Wednesday, and confessed to being "horrified" by front-runner Donald Trump.

"Last Tuesday we had a primary, and I walked into the ballot box," she told a crowd of Cruz supporters. "I saw my name on the ballot, and it was kind of a thrill, but I checked the box for Ted Cruz."

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The surprise endorsement comes as Cruz tries to consolidate GOP support and challenge front-runner businessman Donald Trump for the Republican nomination.

"When you lead, you must challenge the status quo, and when you challenge the status quo, you make enemies," Fiorina said of Cruz's rise.

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