Leading ‘Conservatarian’ Says He Now Backs Ted Cruz
In an op-ed published Tuesday on the Independent Journal Review website, U.S. Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.), a former supporter of U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), announced he was endorsing U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz for the GOP presidential nomination.
“It’s easy to withdraw from politics when the positions and priorities of the candidates do not precisely mirror our own,” he wrote in his article. “But we owe it to our beliefs to find constitutional conservative political allies who not only respect our philosophy but also fight for our views to be heard.
“We have found such an ally in Senator Ted Cruz.”
The Michigan congressman noted Cruz isn’t a libertarian, but has never professed to be one. But, he added, the Texas senator is a “principled defender of the Constitution, a brilliant strategist and debater who can defeat the Democratic nominee” in the November general election.
Amash said Cruz was the only remaining candidate he trusts to take on what the senator calls “The Washington Cartel.”
“To defend liberty, we must defend our Constitution,” he concluded. “I’m supporting Ted because, knowing him personally and having served with him in Congress over the past few years, I trust him as a conservative ally who consistently listens to my perspective and stands firm for what he believes is right.”
