Cruz pulls out of Republican presidential race

(Reuters)
(Reuters)

Texas Senator Ted Cruz has abruptly ended his US presidential campaign after falling to Donald Trump in Indiana's primary, a devastating loss that left him with no viable path to the Republican nomination.

Trump, considered a fringe candidate a year ago, now is poised to represent Republicans in the presidential campaign.

"I've said I would continue on as long as there was a viable path to victory; tonight I'm sorry to say it appears that path has been foreclosed," Cruz told a sombre crowd in Indianapolis on Tuesday night.

Cruz campaigned aggressively in Indiana, but could not overcome Trump.

He appeared to lose momentum in the final days of campaigning and let his frustration with Mr Trump boil over yesterday, calling the billionaire "amoral" and a "braggadocious, arrogant buffoon".

With his victory in Indiana, Trump now has at least 1041 delegates. Cruz has 565 and Ohio Governor John Kasich has 152.

Reuters