Politics

Trump Manager Charged; Cruz Backed By Wisconsin's Walker

March 30, 2016 / 9:37 AM EDT / CBS Baltimore

BROOKFIELD, Wis. (AP) -- Donald Trump tried Tuesday to focus on Wisconsin, where he was making his first visit ahead of its key primary as controversy cast yet another shadow over his campaign.

Trump, along with Republican rivals Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, converged on Wisconsin one week before its April 5 primary. Both Democratic candidates, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, also campaigned in the state.

Trump told supporters at a rally that "if we win Wisconsin, it's pretty much over," noting his significant delegate lead over both Cruz and Kasich. Trump held the rally in Janesville, Wisconsin, hometown of House Speaker Paul Ryan -- who last week called for more civility in politics even as the Republican presidential race grew more personal and nasty.

Cruz, speaking at a town hall forum in Milwaukee hosted by CNN, said his focus was on winning the GOP nomination -- either by getting the 1,237 delegates necessary by the end of the primary season or capturing it at the Republican National Convention in July.

"We are competing to win," Cruz said. "We're not competing to stop Donald Trump. ... Donald is not going to be the GOP nominee. We're going to beat him."

The Wisconsin primary could be pivotal in the Republican contest. Trump leads Cruz in the delegate chase, where Kasich lags in a distant third place. Should Cruz win, it would narrow Trump's already tight path to the nomination and raise the prospect of a contested convention in Cleveland.

Trump arrived in Wisconsin fending off another controversy that eclipsed his message and well as those of his rivals. Trump's campaign manager was charged with misdemeanor battery in Florida on Tuesday over an altercation with a reporter earlier this month, prompting Cruz to accuse the billionaire front-runner of fostering a culture of "abusive behavior."

While Trump dealt with questions about the charges, Cruz lured support from some of the state's most influential voices. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a former GOP presidential contender, endorsed Cruz Tuesday, saying he believes the Texas senator is best positioned to win the GOP nomination and defeat Clinton.

In an interview on Milwaukee's WTMJ radio, Walker noted Cruz's fights in Congress with both Republicans and Democrats. "This is a guy who has been consistent in his positions and, when push comes to shove, will stand up for the people he represents over the interests in Washington," Walker said.

Cruz called Walker a "strong, principled conservative" and praised his "heroic" efforts to all but end collective bargaining rights for public workers.

Also campaigning in Milwaukee was Clinton, who vowed to curb gun violence. Clinton's campaign forum grew emotional as family members spoke of losing children. The Democratic presidential candidate said she will "keep talking about this throughout this campaign" and will "keep talking about it and acting on it" if she wins the White House.

Clinton also lashed out at Trump over the controversy surrounding his campaign manager, saying that "ultimately the responsibility is Mr. Trump's."

Sanders zeroed in on voter identification laws at a town hall in Appleton, Wisconsin. Wisconsin's voter ID law, which went into effect this year, is one of the most restrictive in the country. Supporters say it helps guard against election fraud.

Wisconsin has 42 GOP delegates, with 18 going to the statewide winner and 24 divided among the winners in each of the state's eight congressional districts.

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