This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Two weeks after Gov. Gary Herbert endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz for president on the eve of Utah's presidential caucuses, Cruz returned the favor — and endorsed the governor Wednesday.
"I am supporting Governor Gary Herbert to serve the next four years as Utah's governor because he is a principled, conservative leader who has guided Utah to becoming one of the nation's strongest economies," Cruz said in a written statement a day after a big primary win in Wisconsin.
Cruz added that Herbert "is a strong force pushing back against federal overreach and a government intent on limiting state power. I am confident he is the right choice to serve as Utah's governor and I look forward to working with him for the next four years."
Last month, Cruz won all 40 of Utah's Republican delegates by winning 69 percent of the GOP caucus vote, the largest margin of victory by any Republican candidate in any state so far. Cruz said that was a turning point for him during his victory speech in Wisconsin.
Herbert endorsed Cruz the day before the Utah caucus, even though he had appeared just days earlier with Ohio Gov. John Kasich at a Utah campaign event.
"I'm honored to have Senator Cruz's endorsement," Herbert said. "He is a principled conservative who I believe will work to return power to the states and limit the size and scope of the federal government. I was very happy to see such strong support for him in Utah and his strong momentum as we march to the national convention in Cleveland."
Lee Davidson