Christian leaders endorse Ted Cruz for 'protecting religious liberty, preserving family values'

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz embraces his wife Heidi during a campaign event in Ringsted, Iowa, on Jan. 29, 2016.Reuters

Bad news for Donald Trump and other Republican presidential aspirants: Texas Senator Ted Cruz is getting more and more support from Christian leaders in his bid for the White House.

Cruz announced on Thursday evening that he has secured the endorsement of Dick Bott and his son Rich, who operate the largest network of Christian radio stations in the United States.

In supporting Cruz, the elder Bott, chairman and founder of Bott Radio Network who was included in the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2008, praised the Republican candidate for his "Christian character."

"Not since Ronald Reagan has this country seen someone with the ability and the wisdom that Ted Cruz has. Our listeners are eager to select the next President of the United States—a man of principle, of Christian character, and a proven leader with a record of conservative accomplishment," Dick Bott said, as quoted by Charisma News.

His son, Rich, meanwhile described Cruz as the answer to Americans' prayers for a worthy next president.

"Ted Cruz is unwavering in his principles, bold to stand up for what's right, and unafraid to be politically incorrect. Ted Cruz is the right man running at the right time. He is an answer to prayer, he is in our prayers, and we believe that he will make an exceptional president," the president and CEO of Bott Radio Network said.

Christian entrepreneurs Jason and David Benham, who have become leading figures in the fight for religious liberty in the U.S., also threw their support behind the Texas senator.

In a statement, the Benhams described Cruz as the "convictional leader we desperately need in America today.

"Ted Cruz has the humility to understand this truth. At this crossroads in American history, we need a President that acts from the inside out, one who relies on principles not polls, and is grounded in the Constitution, not cultural trends. From protecting religious liberty and preserving family values to rejecting big government and rebuking the 'establishment,'," the Christian entrepreneurs said.

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, meanwhile said Cruz should become the next U.S. president because of his "constitutional conservatism."

"I believe he has the highest level of support among America's pastors because his political rhetoric matches his public record," Perkins said in a separate Charisma News article.