Ted Cruz wins endorsement of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott



PHOTOS: See key milestones in Ted Cruz's life and career in politics ... less Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, left, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, right, speak about the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the U.S., during their joint news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, left, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, right, speak about the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the U.S., during their joint news conference on Capitol Hill ... more Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais, STF Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais, STF Image 1 of / 38 Caption Close Ted Cruz wins endorsement of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott 1 / 38 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN -- As long expected, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has endorsed his longtime friend Texas Sen. Ted Cruz for president.

In a video released Wednesday morning, Abbott gives home-state support to Cruz, who worked as solicitor general under him while Abbott was attorney general, at a time when Cruz is struggling in his presidential campaign and is looking to Texas to deliver a big win in the March 1 primary.

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Lt. Gov. DanPatrick earlier endorsed Cruz, and has been campaigning with him in several early-voting states. Former Gov.Rick Perry earlier endorsed Cruz, as have several members of the Legislature and other elected officials..

"Conservative values are at his core," Abbott said about Cruz,who has called Abbott his mentor when Cruz worked for Abbott in early in his career.

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In his endorsement, Abbott called Cruz "a constitutionalist whose judgment I trust to appoint the right judges to the United States Supreme Court," referring to the current controversy over nominees after the death of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia.