Speaking on on Monday, Lt. Gov. warned U.S. Sen. will be left "in the rearview mirror of the Republican Party" if he doesn't endorse Donald Trump.
Cruz came under fire from Republicans earlier this year when he refused to endorse Trump during a primetime speech at the Republican convention in Cleveland. Patrick had been somewhat quiet about Cruz in the weeks following the convention, when speculation mounted that Cruz's refusal to endorse Trump would earn him a primary challenger in 2018.
But when Ingraham asked about Cruz and other Republicans who won't support Trump on Monday, Patrick said he was "disappointed."
"You know, I stay loyal to my friends, and Ted鈥檚 a friend, but obviously I鈥檓 disappointed," Patrick said. "I鈥檓 hoping there鈥檚 still time for him to come forward or I think he and all the other people you named will be left in the rearview mirror of the Republican Party moving forward. So I鈥檓 hoping Ted comes forward. I鈥檓 visiting with him on that issue, of course.鈥�
A spokeswoman for Ted Cruz declined to comment.
Patrick backed Cruz's own presidential efforts during the primaries. But after Cruz left the race, Patrick quickly became the most vocal advocate for Trump in Texas. . He's also been a frequent attendee at Trump's rallies and fundraisers in Texas.
"My primary goal is to unite our party in Texas," . "I want to ensure a solid Trump win and to remind Republican voters, and the new Trump voters who came out in the primary, to support the entire Republican ticket from the White House to the courthouse."
Read more about Donald Trump and Dan Patrick:
- Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is taking , serving as his Texas state chairman.
- Republican presidential nominee with a series of events 鈥� some public 鈥� planned across the reliably red state.
- Republican presidential nominee 鈥� and blast Democratic rival Hillary Clinton as unsympathetic to their concerns.
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Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect a spokeswoman for U.S. Sen Ted Cruz did not have a comment on Dan Patrick's interview.
