Story highlights Ted Cruz's campaign staff called Iowa precinct captains Monday night to tell them that Ben Carson was "suspending campaigning" and that they should alert caucus attendees in an effort to sway voters

Cruz precinct captain Nancy Bliesman told CNN she received two messages Monday night saying that Carson was leaving the campaign trail

Washington (CNN) Ted Cruz's campaign staff called Iowa precinct captains Monday night to tell them that Ben Carson was "suspending campaigning" and that they should alert caucus attendees in an effort to sway voters.

Cruz precinct captain Nancy Bliesman told CNN she received two messages Monday night saying that Carson was leaving the campaign trail.

"Dr. Ben Carson will be (inaudible) suspending campaigning following tonight's caucuses. Please inform any Carson caucusgoers of this news and urge them to caucus for Ted instead," someone who identified themselves as being from the Cruz campaign said in one message.

In another voicemail, someone who also identified herself as being with the Cruz campaign said, "It has just been announced that Ben Carson is taking a leave of absence from the campaign trail, so it is very important that you tell any Ben Carson voters that for tonight, uh, that they not waste a vote on Ben Carson, and vote for Ted Cruz."

The voicemails were first reported Thursday by Breitbart News and Bliesman confirmed their content to CNN.

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