Leading Iowa evangelical endorses Ted Cruz for president

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A prominent Iowa evangelical leader has endorsed Ted Cruz for president, a coup for the Texas senator, who has heavily courted churches and pastors in an effort to win the state's leadoff Republican caucuses.

Cruz said in a statement that the endorsement is "more evidence that our campaign has momentum and is gaining ground heading into the final weeks of the caucus."

Christian conservative voters traditionally wield significant influence in the Iowa caucuses because they tend to be organized and motivated to participate.