Gov. John Kasich announced Sunday he would suspend his campaign in Indiana in an effort to ensure Sen. Ted Cruz defeats Donald Trump here.

Gov. John Kasich and Sen. Ted Cruz have effectively teamed up in hopes of stopping Donald Trump from securing the Republican nomination for president.

Gov. Kasich announced Sunday he would suspend his campaign in Indiana in an effort to ensure Sen. Cruz defeats Trump here.

"Donald Trump doesn't have the support of a majority of Republicans – not even close, but he currently does have almost half the delegates because he's benefited from the existing primary system," Kasich strategist John Weaver said in a statement. "Our goal is to have an open convention in Cleveland, where we are confident a candidate capable of uniting the Party and winning in November will emerge as the nominee. We believe that will be John Kasich, who is the only candidate who can defeat Secretary Clinton and preserve our GOP majority in the Congress."



Kasich has cancelled both of his Tuesday events in Indiana — the town hall meeting in Hamilton County and the election night watch party in Indianapolis. However he will still be in Indianapolis for a private fundraiser.



Kasich is still urging people in Indiana to vote for him, despite his agreement to stand aside



That's the Republican presidential candidate's message about 13 hours after he announced an arrangement to give rival Ted Cruz "a clear path" in Indiana.



Kasich says of Indiana voters, "I've never told them not to vote for me. They ought to vote for me."



He says he simply agreed not to spend "resources" in Indiana.



He's also playing down the significance of the extraordinary arrangement.



He says, "It's not a big deal."

Wow, just announced that Lyin' Ted and Kasich are going to collude in order to keep me from getting the Republican nomination. DESPERATION! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 25, 2016

Two losing politicians-mathematically eliminated from receiving the nomination-trying something NEW! They will FAIL! pic.twitter.com/U7qNFomNZC — Dan Scavino (@DanScavino) April 25, 2016

Kasich's campaign is shifting to focus on New Mexico and Oregon. A separate statement from the Cruz campaign confirmed the Senator has agreed to step aside and let Kasich compete one-on-one against Trump in those two states.



EXCLUSIVE WTHR/HPI Poll: Trump or Cruz would defeat Clinton in Indiana



"Having Donald Trump at the top of the ticket in November would be a sure disaster for Republicans," Cruz Campaign Manager Jeff Roe said. "Not only would Trump get blown out by Clinton or Sanders, but having him as our nominee would set the party back a generation."

?Both Kasich's and Cruz's campaigns confirmed they plan to compete as normal in all of the other remaining primaries.

It should be noted that this strategy guarantees neither Kasich nor Cruz can reach the 1,237 delegate count needed to secure the nomination heading into the convention. Trump still could hit that number, but if the strategy works and Kasich or Cruz win Indiana, New Mexico and Oregon, it will be a much tougher road for him.

Lyin' Ted and Kasich are mathematically dead and totally desperate. Their donors & special interest groups are not happy with them. Sad! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 25, 2016