Bush Hits Out At Trump As He Endorses Cruz

The former Florida senator says voters must overcome the "divisiveness and vulgarity" Mr Trump has brought to the campaign.

Former Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush has slammed the "divisiveness and vulgarity" Donald Trump has brought to the primary campaign as he endorsed his one-time rival Ted Cruz.

The former Florida senator said Mr Cruz represents the party's best chance of retaking the White House, calling him a consistent, principled conservative who has shown an ability to appeal to voters and win primary contests.

In his statement announcing the move, Mr Bush also resumed his sharp criticism of Mr Trump.

He said Republican voters must move to overcome "the divisiveness and vulgarity" the real estate mogul has brought into the political arena "or we will certainly lose our chance to defeat the Democratic nominee and reverse President (Barack) Obama's failed policies".

"To win, Republicans need to make this election about proposing solutions to the many challenges we face, and I believe that we should vote for Ted as he will do just that," Mr Bush said.

He added: "Washington is broken, and the only way Republicans can hope to win back the White House and put our nation on a better path is to support a nominee who can articulate how conservative policies will help people rise up and reach their full potential."

His endorsement comes after Mr Trump won the Arizona primary and Mr Cruz notched up a commanding win in Utah. 

Mr Bush, dropped out of the presidential nomination fight after losing heavily in South Carolina last month.

The endorsement from the 63-year-old, whose father and brother served as president, comes as the Republican establishment scrambles to try and stop Mr Trump from becoming the party's nominee.

Party leaders fear the real estate mogul will lead the party to a heavy defeat in November's election, which will almost certainly be against former first lady and secretary of state Hillary Clinton.

Mr Cruz is currently second behind Trump and could conceivably win enough delegates to take the nomination.

Ohio Governor John Kasich's lone path to the nomination is to extend the race until the party's national convention in July.

Mr Trump needs 1,237 delegates to win the nomination, and if he does not reach this party leaders could consider someone else.

A source close to Mr Bush said he picked Mr Cruz because he has the most viable path to the nomination and has shown he can win.

Mr Bush considers the contest convention strategy as a "hail-Mary strategy at best", the source added.

In a statement, Mr Cruz said Mr Bush's endorsement "is further evidence that Republicans are continuing to unite behind our campaign to nominate a proven conservative" to defeat Mrs Clinton.