Ted Cruz Rallies Support in Alabama

Gigi Douban | December 21, 2015

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Republican presidential hopeful Texas Senator Ted Cruz spoke to about 1,500 people at the Trussville Civic Center yesterday. It’s part of big push through Southern states. Cruz told supporters that if elected, he’d abolish the IRS, launch an investigation into Planned Parenthood and move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. That sat well with many in the crowd.

Monica Stevens of Homewood arrived at the civic center an hour before Cruz’s speech only to find a line that went around the building to the end of the parking lot. She and hundreds of others were sent into the gymnasium, where they would watch the speech on a television screen. Stevens was crestfallen. That is, until Cruz and his wife came into the gym minutes before his speech to meet and greet supporters. 

Gigi Douban
Senator Ted Cruz meets with supporters after the rally.

Cruz was a “very charismatic, wonderful man,” said Stevens, also noting his strong handshake. She says Cruz has been trending upward, and for her, yesterday’s event sealed the deal.

The rally follows one Saturday in Daphne.  It’s part of a campaign swing through southern states. Alabama has joined with a number of southern states to hold their primaries on March first in what’s been dubbed the “SEC Primary.”