Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has thrown his support behind two Republican gubernatorial candidates who lack President Trump’s endorsement, a move that underscores the ongoing tensions within the party as primary runoffs approach in Georgia and South Carolina.
Cruz endorsed Georgia billionaire Rick Jackson over Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, who has Trump’s backing, in the Peach State’s GOP runoff for governor. In South Carolina, Cruz is backing Attorney General Alan Wilson against Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, another Trump-endorsed candidate.
The Texas senator framed his choices not as a direct challenge to the former president but as a strategic calculation to ensure the party fields the strongest possible candidates for the general election. “Rick has an extraordinary record, an extraordinary life story. And I also think he’s positioned to win. And the stakes are too high. This election is a battleground all across the country. We can’t afford to lose Georgia,” Cruz told Fox News after endorsing Jackson on Friday.
Georgia’s runoff concludes on Tuesday, while South Carolina’s wraps up next week. The outcomes could signal the depth of Trump’s influence in key southern states, especially as the party grapples with internal divisions over electability and ideological purity.
Cruz, a former presidential contender, has often positioned himself as a conservative firebrand but also as a pragmatist when it comes to winning elections. “The president and I agree on the vast majority of races. What I try to do in every race is endorse the strongest conservative who can win,” Cruz explained. “And typically I get in races late in the race at a time where my support might be able to make a difference and be helpful.”
Jackson, a wealthy businessman who has poured millions into his campaign, has emphasized his outsider status and economic credentials. Wilson, meanwhile, has served as South Carolina’s attorney general since 2011 and is known for his legal battles on conservative causes, including challenging federal regulations. Both candidates are running on platforms that align with core GOP priorities, but they face stiff opposition from Trump-backed rivals who have rallied the party’s base.
The endorsements come amid a broader backdrop of Republican infighting over the party’s direction. In other races, Trump’s influence has been a decisive factor, as seen in the Oklahoma Senate primary where his backed candidate is on track to win. However, Cruz’s willingness to break with Trump on these gubernatorial contests suggests that not all Republicans are willing to fall in line, particularly when they perceive a risk of losing winnable seats.
In Georgia, the stakes are especially high after Democrats flipped the state in the 2020 presidential election and won two Senate seats in early 2021. Republicans are eager to reclaim the governor’s mansion, but the primary runoff has exposed fractures between the establishment and Trump-aligned factions. Similarly, in South Carolina, the race highlights the ongoing struggle for the soul of the party, with Evette leaning heavily on Trump’s endorsement and Wilson touting his conservative record.
Cruz’s move may also be seen as a subtle positioning for future national ambitions, as he seeks to maintain alliances across the party’s spectrum. By backing candidates he views as electable, he is signaling that the GOP must broaden its appeal beyond Trump’s base to win back swing voters. The results of these runoffs will be closely watched as a bellwether for the party’s cohesion heading into the midterms.
As the runoffs approach, both campaigns are intensifying their efforts. In Georgia, Jackson has focused on economic messaging, while Jones emphasizes his ties to Trump and conservative values. In South Carolina, Wilson is leaning on his legal experience and in-state popularity, while Evette is rallying Trump supporters. The outcomes will not only determine the nominees but could also shape the broader narrative about Trump’s enduring pull over the GOP.
