Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad: Cruz must be defeated

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad would like to see Ted Cruz defeated, he said on Tuesday.

The Iowa governor, whose powerful network of supporters is a prized political commodity, was speaking to reporters at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit. Branstad's son Eric is leading efforts to portray the Texas senator as hostile to ethanol, a narrative Cruz has been trying to stifle in recent weeks.


Asked if he’d like the Texas senator to lose, Governor Branstad said, "Yes."

"Ted Cruz is ahead right now. What we’re trying to do is educate the people in the state of Iowa. He is the biggest opponent of renewable fuels. He actually introduced a bill in 2013 to immediately eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard. He’s heavily financed by Big Oil. So we think once Iowans realize that fact, they might find other things attractive but he could be very damaging to our state," Branstad said, according to the Des Moines Register.

"I think it would be a big mistake for Iowa to support him," Branstad added.

Iowa conservative radio host Steve Deace, an influential Cruz ally, embraced Branstad's statement as "good news."

"Terry Branstad finally does conservatives a favor by telling us all who the establishment really hates -- Ted Cruz. It's good news Tuesday!" he tweeted.

Trump also seized on the comments Tuesday afternoon, tweeting, "Wow, the highly respected Governor of Iowa just stated that 'Ted Cruz must be defeated.' Big shoker! People do not like Ted."

He followed up at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit, telling the crowd that Branstad’s comments will have a big impact. “That was amazing actually. He’s a respected man and when he speaks people listen,” Trump said.

Trump: I agree with Iowa Gov. Cruz must be defeated

Cruz has “been mixed on the subject” of ethanol, Trump added. “He goes wherever votes are.”

Cruz and Trump are jockeying for the lead in Iowa after recent polls show the two swapping back and forth between first and second position in a close race.

Trump held an event on Tuesday morning in Winterset, where he unveiled the endorsement of John Wayne's daughter, and will hold a rally in Ames this evening, where he has promised a "major" guest that many have speculated will be former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Alex Guillen contributed to this report.

