Branstad: Cruz must be defeated

Source: By Eliza Collins, Politico • Posted: Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad would like to see Ted Cruz defeated, he said today.

The Iowa governor, whose powerful network of supporters is a prized political commodity, was speaking to reporters at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit. Branstad’s son Eric is leading efforts to portray the Texas senator as hostile to ethanol, a narrative Cruz has been trying to stifle in recent weeks.

Asked if he’d like the Texas senator to lose, Branstad said, “Yes.”

“I think it would be very damaging to our state,” he continued, according to Iowa’s Channel 13 news. “I believe it would be a big mistake for Iowa to support him.”

Cruz and Trump are jockeying for the lead in Iowa after recent polls show the two swapping back and forth between first and second position in a close race.

On Tuesday, Trump held an event in Winterset, where he unveiled the endorsement of John Wayne’s daughter, and will hold a rally in Ames this evening, where he has promised a “major” guest that many have speculated will be former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

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