Placing third in most polls of Florida, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, made his final appeal to Sunshine State Republicans on Monday, noting he has the support of almost 400 leading conservatives across the state.

Trailing businessman Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in most of the polls, Cruz does not appear to be positioned to claim the 99 delegates on the line in the Florida primary on Tuesday. However there are some polls showing Cruz within striking distance of Rubio to claim second.

In recent days, Cruz, who is second only to Trump in the total delegate count, focused more attention on Illinois and North Carolina where he can add delegates on Tuesday as opposed to winner take all states like Florida and Ohio. Despite that, at the end of last week, the Cruz team trumpeted the endorsements of almost 80 pastors and religious conservatives from across Florida.

“I am humbled and honored to have the support of such a distinguished list of Florida faith leaders," Cruz said on Saturday. "Our grassroots army across the state of Florida is energized and mobilized for Tuesday’s primary."



“I am honored to join other faith leaders in Florida in endorsing Ted Cruz for president,” said Rev. Gerald Bustin, the pastor of the Open Door Community Church in Duval County. “Ted is the only candidate who has continually fought on our behalf for our right to religious liberties, and now it is our chance to stand behind him with full strength and support.”

Cruz doubled down on that effort on Monday, laying out more than 380 endorsements.

“Our campaign is seeing incredible support from courageous conservatives all across the state of Florida,” insisted Cruz. “I’m honored to have so many of Florida’s top leaders supporting our campaign heading into the March 15th primary.”

Cruz showcased his “Florida State-Level Leadership Team" on Monday which included the backing of four state legislators: Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, Rep. Neil Combee, R-Auburndale, Rep. Mike Hill, R-Pensacola, and Rep. Larry Metz, R-Groveland.

Other members of Cruz’s statewide leadership include Sumter County Sheriff Bill Farmer, Indian River County Commissioner Tim Zorc, Indian River County School Board Member Laura Zorc who is one of the leading conservative opponents of Common Core in the state and former mayoral hopeful and former Jacksonville City Council President Ginger Soud.



“Neil Combee and I have been with Ted from the beginning, and I must say that this campaign has really taken off here in Florida,” Hays said on Monday. “Things are really coming together, and we couldn’t be prouder to be part of such a great team of conservatives and leaders. Ted Cruz is definitely the best candidate to return America to her founding principles.”

Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN