Governor Greg Abbott endorses Ted Cruz for president

AUSTIN, TX (KTRK) -- The Governor of Texas has endorsed Ted Cruz for president.

In an announcement released on YouTube, Gov. Greg Abbott says Cruz is "principled" and "fearless."

"It is our duty as Texas conservatives to support a leader we can trust to restore our values," Abbott says. "That is why I am supporting Ted Cruz for president."

Abbott also says he could trust Cruz's judgment in selecting a nominee to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Texans are in the last week of early voting before the March 1 primary elections in the state.

Abbott joins Lt. Governor Dan Patrick in support of Texas's junior senator. Patrick serves as the state chairman of the Cruz presidential campaign.