Sarah Palin Endorses Ted Cruz For U.S. Senate In Texas

Sarah Palin made an endorsement Thursday in the Texas Republican primary for U.S. Senate, backing the Tea Party-supported Ted Cruz, a former state solicitor general.

"Were proud to join conservatives in Texas and throughout the nation in supporting your campaign to become the next senator from the Lone Star State," Palin wrote in response to a letter from Cruz, according to his campaign. Your conservative principles, passionate defense of our Constitution and our free market system come at a time when these cornerstones of our freedom and prosperity are under attack. Our shared goal isnt just to change the majority in control of the Senate, but to assure principled conservatives like you are there to fight for us.

Cruz, who also won endorsements from Ron and Rand Paul, said he was honored to have Palin's support, calling her an inspiration to conservatives nationwide.

"She is principled and passionate and never afraid to speak truth to establishment power," he said, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Cruz's campaign manager, John Drogin, said that the endorsement gave the campaign a boost in fundraising and buzz.

"Phones are ringing, online contributions are pouring in, and supporters are more excited than ever on our social networks," he wrote in an email t! o Yahoo! News.

Early voting is already underway for the Texas GOP primary, which takes place May 29. Cruz's rivals include frontrunner Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, former Dallas mayor Tom Leppert and former sports commentator Craig James.

Palin has weighed in on a number of 2012 congressional races. In April, she backed Richard Mourdock, who successfully defeated Sen. Richard Lugar in the Republican primary for Indiana Senate. On Wednesday, she endorsed underdog state Sen. Deb Fischer in Nebraska's U.S. Senate race.

10 more election stories from beyond the presidential field:

Richard Carmona Predicts 'Long, Hot And Miserable Summer' For Jeff Flake In Arizona [Arizona Daily Star]

Connie Mack, George LeMieux Continue Battle Over Misdirected Mailers [Orlando Sentinel]

Wisconsin U.S. Senate Candidate Mark Neumann Hires Controversial Consultant [Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel]

Patty Murray: We Can't Let The Tea Party Take Over The Senate [Seattle Post-Intelligencer]

Chamber Of Commerce Launches Ad Campaign For Hawaii's Linda Lingle [Honolulu Star-Advertiser]

Indiana Gubernatorial Candidates Oppose Same-Sex Marriage [Evansville Courier & Press]

Menendez Leads Rival In New Jersey Senate Race, But Trails Generic Challenger [Newark Star-Ledger]

NRA Endorses George Allen [Washington Post]

Scott Brown Campaign Calls Ethics Charges 'Laughable And Desperate' [BuzzFeed]

Idaho's Congressional Races Feature Colorful But Unlikely Challengers [Idaho Statesman]

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