Ted Cruz attacks Donald Trump in Manhattan speech
Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz speaks during an appearance in New York on March 23, 2016 in New York City. Credit: Getty Images / Spencer Platt
Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz campaigned on the home turf of GOP rival Donald Trump Wednesday, telling a Manhattan crowd he plans to build a “grass roots army” to win the state’s April 19 primary.
Speaking before the New York Republican Women’s Club in midtown for more than 30 minutes, Cruz touted his recent endorsement from former presidential candidate Jeb Bush, and outlined his plans to win the primary “congressional district by congressional district.”
“Let me tell you, New York is going to be a battleground,” Cruz said. “It’s been a long, long time that the state of New York has had a voice nationally in selecting the Republican nominee. . . . We are competing hard in the state of New York.”
Cruz added: “I think we’ve got an inherent advantage because the people of New York know Trump.”
Cruz labeled Trump a “liberal” for his previous campaign contributions to state Democrats. Trump has said the donations were to garner support for his real estate projects.
Cruz, who trails Trump in the number of delegates required to secure the party’s presidential nomination, is looking to narrow the gap with New York’s 95 delegates. Trump leads the delegate count with 738 of 1,237 needed to secure the nomination. Cruz has 463 and Ohio Gov. John Kasich has 143.
Cruz argued in his speech that he has defeated Trump in 10 primary states, and has received marquee GOP endorsements in the past two weeks, including former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
The Trump campaign couldn’t be reached immediately for comment.
Cruz also took jabs at Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who have criticized Cruz for calling on local police to increase surveillance of U.S. Muslim communities “before they become radicalized.”
Cruz made the comments Tuesday in the wake of two deadly terrorist strikes in Belgium orchestrated by the Islamic State terrorist group.
De Blasio at a news conference Tuesday said Cruz’s comments, “are not about safety and security. It’s demagoguery.”
Clinton wrote on Twitter Wednesday that, “when Republican candidates like Ted Cruz call for treating American Muslims like criminals, it’s not just wrong — it’s counterproductive.”
Cruz said at the event, “I arrived in New York yesterday, and Mayor de Blasio promptly held a news conference to denounce me, so I must be doing something right.”
Laura Figueroa Hernandez is the White House correspondent and previously covered New York City politics and government. She joined Newsday in 2012 after covering state and local politics for The Miami Herald.
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