Article courtesy of CNN, Written by Eugene Scott
Washington (CNN) — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker formally endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz on Tuesday, saying he is "a strong new leader" and "constitutional conservative."
"After all these years of the Obama-Clinton failures, it's time we elect a strong new leader and I've chosen to endorse Ted Cruz," Walker told conservative radio host Charlie Sykes on Tuesday.
The endorsement could be a pivotal development ahead of Wisconsin's April 5 primary, which is emerging as a key test for the remaining presidential contenders before the 2016 campaign heads east.
When Walker dropped out of the race in September, he said he hoped to clear the field.
"I believe that I am being called to lead by helping to clear the field in this race so that a positive, conservative message can rise to the top of the field," he said at a news conference last September.
An early critic of Republican front-runner Donald Trump, Walker encouraged other trailing Republican candidates to follow his path. READ MORE
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker speaks during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 28, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Today is the first full session of the RNC after the start was delayed due to Tropical Storm Isaac. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)