U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, the unlikely survivor of a once-crowded GOP presidential field, said Tuesday night that he was suspending his campaign to be his party's presidential candidate, potentially ending any real battle for the GOP nomination.



NBC News earlier in the night projected that Donald Trump would easily win the GOP primary in Indiana. Cruz was the only candidate to notch multiple state victories against the real estate magnate, surviving a crowded field of experienced politicians and political newcomers alike. (Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida had won three contests include Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico).



But the glow of those Cruz victories had faded after Trump won a resounding series of seven straight victories.

"From the beginning I've said that I would continue on as long as there was a viable path to victory. Tonight, I'm sorry to say, it appears that path has been foreclosed," Cruz said during a Tuesday night speech. "The voters chose another path, and so with a heavy heart, but with boundless optimism for the long-term future of our nation, we are suspending our campaign."

Cruz appeared to be positioning for a political future, saying he would continue to fight for the ideals of his supporters.