Despite Giving Up on GOP, Glenn Beck's All In for Ted Cruz

In March of last year, talk radio host Glenn Beck very publicly disavowed all involvement in the Republican Party, saying he was “done” with it.

“I’ve made my decision. I’m out. I’m out of the Republican Party. I am not a Republican; I will not give a dime to the Republican Party. I’m out. I highly recommend—run from the Republican Party. They are not good.

“They ran and they said they were doing all of these great things and they were going to stand against Obamacare and illegal immigration. They set us up. They set us up. Enough is enough. They’re torpedoing the Constitution, and they’re doing it knowingly. They’re taking on people like Mike Lee and Ted Cruz and they are torpedoing them—knowingly.

“So I’m done with them. Four years ago, I was with them. Four years ago, I said work from the inside: Let’s change it. Let’s get new guys in there. It’s too late.”

Now he’s had a slight change of tune. With Cruz now vying for the GOP presidential nomination, and currently polling neck-and-neck with front-runner Donald Trump in Iowa, Beck has decided to rejoin Republican Party politics by making his first-ever endorsement. It was announced over the weekend at a joint campaign event with Cruz in Iowa.

“We need a new George Washington,” Beck said. “Today’s Washington will not be found in the garish light of gold, but rather in the bold service of a man who stands tirelessly for what he deeply believes—that government should be of the people, by the people and for the people. That is why I am endorsing Senator Ted Cruz as the next president of the United States of America.”

Beck is a conservative political commentator, author, television network producer, filmmaker, entrepreneur and one of America’s leading conservative voices. His radio show, The Glenn Beck Program, is heard by millions across the country on over 400 radio stations.

“Beck inspires millions of conservatives by consistently and fiercely defending the Constitution, advocating for limited government, opposing Obama’s lawless actions, and defending life and marriage and our second amendment right to keep and bear arms,” the Cruz campaign said, following the endorsement. “He was a leading figure in the rise of the Tea Party movement to take the power away from Washington and restore it to the American people.”

Beck, who is a Mormon, was given the 2008 Marconi Award for Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year from the National Association of Broadcasters. He also is the author of seven books that have reached the top of the New York Times Bestsellers list.

“Glenn is a good friend and a fearless and reliable conservative,” Cruz said. “Glenn has been a relentless fighter for liberty, for limited government and for restoring the country we all love so much. His powerful voice and passion played a critical role in my Senate victory and I am now proud to have him in our corner in 2016.”