Randy Feenstra, an Iowa state senator who supported Scott Walker’s White House bid, will announce Wednesday that he is endorsing Ted Cruz for president.
In March, Walker highlighted the endorsement of Feenstra, who represents the Republican-rich northwest Iowa. But the Wisconsin governor, once considered a strong contender for the GOP nomination, dropped out of the race on Sept. 21 after experiencing a downward trajectory both in support and fundraising.
Feenstra said he decided to back Cruz because he believes the Texas Republican is the most experienced to lead the nation.
“I believe he has the ability to truly make a difference in our nation when it comes to economic, social and international policy,” Feenstra said in an interview. “He has done a lot of things in the past for me to look at and say, ‘He has the knowledge and fortitude to make it happen.'”
Feenstra said he initially decided to back Walker because he has “always tried to support former administrators, particularly governors,” in the presidential contest.
He added, “But at this point, after Walker stepped down, I decided that Cruz was the best candidate to move our country in the right direction.”
Matt Schultz, the Madison County attorney who is chairing Cruz’s Iowa campaign, described Feenstra’s endorsement as a sign that Cruz is building momentum in the state.
“Randy Feenstra is well respected around Iowa, and having his support sends a strong message that Senator Cruz is the real conservative in this race,” Schultz said. “We are proud to have Randy on the team.”
Cruz is polling in the mid-to-high single digits in national polls and Iowa surveys.