Cruz adds some Texas power to his campaign

Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz speaks during Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition's annual fall dinner, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Michael Zamora/The Des Moines Register via AP) MAGS OUT, TV OUT, NO SALES, MANDATORY CREDIT less Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz speaks during Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition's annual fall dinner, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Michael Zamora/The Des Moines Register via AP) MAGS ... more Photo: Michael Zamora, MBO Photo: Michael Zamora, MBO Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Cruz adds some Texas power to his campaign 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

GOP presidential hopefuls not named Ted Cruz better not try to mount a serious bid for the state's 155 delegates come the March 1 primary if they don't want to suffer an embarrassing loss. That was message from the Cruz campaign Monday, when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and several wealthy donors threw their support behind the Texas senator's White House bid.

Cruz and Patrick shared mutual praise for each other's work in Washington, D.C. and Austin, respectively, bolstering their conservative credentials with the grass roots that already adores them both. The campaign also announced the endorsement of Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter, who will serve as co-chair of the Cruz operation in Texas with Patrick, as well as six major financial supporters that once backed former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who dropped out of the presidential race in September.

"It is a tremendous honor for me that Dan has accepted the Texas Chairmanship of my campaign," Cruz said. "Dan is a conservative warrior. He knows and loves Texas and understands how important the Lone Star State is to winning the nomination."

On the political front, today's announcement means Cruz has the support of three statewide elected officials and 41 state GOP lawmakers, which constitutes more than a third of the Republican delegation in Austin. All in all, it "(indicates) the strength of the Cruz organization and deep support across his home state," the campaign touted.

The news brought a major boost to Cruz's financial operation, too. The Deason family of Dallas, who run Deason Capitol Services, also pledged their support to Cruz on Monday. Darwin, the company's chairman, and Doug, his son, bring some Texas-sized heft to Cruz's national finance committee, which both Deasons will serve on. They previously supported Perry's bid. The other committeemen announced Monday include Brint Ryan of Dallas, chairman and CEO of Ryan Industries; Cinemark Board Chairman Lee Roy and Tany Mitchell of Dallas; and Jim Lee of Houston, president of Ascendant Advisors.

"Rick Perry was a great governor for the State of Texas," Cruz said. "These six Texas business leaders who supported the governor speak to the kind of man Perry is. I am humbled and honored to have their support and the support from major business leaders across the state of Texas."