Iowa's Republican Gov. Terry Branstad called for Ted Cruz's defeat Tuesday, a major blow to the Texas senator's campaign to win the early voting state less than two weeks away from the Iowa caucuses. Branstad made an economic plea to the voters of the ethanol-rich state at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit, saying Cruz is backed by the oil industry.
"Ted Cruz is ahead right now. What we're trying to do is educate the people in the state of Iowa. He is the biggest opponent of renewable fuels. He actually introduced a bill in 2013 to immediately eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard. He's heavily financed by Big Oil. So we think once Iowans realize that fact, they might find other things attractive but he could be very damaging to our state," Branstad told reporters, according to the Des Moines Register. He added, "I think it would be a big mistake for Iowa to support him."
Branstad addressed the tight race in Iowa, which, according to RealClear Politics averages of recent polling, puts them in a virtual tie with Trump ahead of Cruz by just a single percentage point, 27.8 to 26.7 percent. Marco Rubio is in a distant third with 11.7 percent.
"I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that Ted Cruz is going to win this state," Branstad told CNN. "Because as Iowans learn about his anti-renewable fuel stand, and that it will cost us jobs, and will further reduce farm income, I think people will realize that it's not in our interest."
In certain recent polls, Cruz leads Trump by a narrow margain, but the Iowa governor said that could easily change as Iowans become more familiar with his positions.
"It would be a big mistake for Iowa to support him," Branstad said. "And I know he's ahead in the polls but the only poll that counts is the one they take on caucus night and I think that could change between now and then."
