PolitiChicks Exclusive: Conversation with Benham Brothers on Endorsing Ted Cruz
As Thursday evening was highlighted with a GOP Debate without the front-runner Donald Trump, Texas Senator Ted Cruz received four new endorsements from Christian leaders.
The first endorsement came from Dick and Rich Bott, both who operate the nation’s largest network of Christian radio stations. The second endorsement cam from two Christian entrepreneur brothers Jason and David Benham, both who are the leading figures in the fight for religious liberty in the U.S.
Both Benham brothers came under fire for their beliefs in the sanctity of life and traditional marriage. Their planned reality show on HGTV called “Flip It Forward,” a series featuring the brothers giving families’ dream homes from fixer-uppers were cancelled due to their Christian beliefs that came under attack by left-wing organizations.
In a statement released by the Cruz campaign, the Benham brothers explained their endorsement to the Texas senator. “No one leader can make America great again, only God can do that,” the twin brothers said in the statement. “Ted Cruz has the humility to understand this truth. At this crossroads in American history, we need a President that acts from the inside out, one who relies on principles, not polls, and is grounded in the Constitution, not cultural trends. From protecting religious liberty and preserving family values to rejecting big government and rebuking the ‘establishment,’ Ted Cruz is the convictional leader we desperately need in America today.”
PolitiChicks reached out to the Benham brothers who exclusively gave us their reason to why they are backing Cruz and why other Christians should follow suit to back the staunch Christian Conservative leader running for President.
“We’re at a crossroads in American history–our Constitution hangs in the balance as well as our commitment to Judeo-Christian values,” the Benham brothers said to PolitiChicks. “Ted is fully committed to both, and his courage to fight against all threats to them is contagious. We believe he’s a type of Winston Churchill, leader, a man who isn’t looking to make deals with evil, but draws lines in the sand, refusing to bend our nation’s historic principles.”
Currently, there are four candidates who are considered the strongest social conservative in this crowded field – Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum and Ben Carson. PolitiChicks ask the Benham Brothers why did they pick Cruz over the other three, and whether a moment helped seal the deal to pick Cruz. “We played professional sports, so we understand one very important truth – at any time during the game all players can make the game winning shot, but only one is in the best position to take it,” the Benham brothers said. “We like the other men and know them all, but we feel Ted is in the right place at the right time for such a time as this. His commitment to the Constitution as well as his conviction on Christian values is attractive to us.”
As to a recent poll conducted by NBC News nationally that shows that Donald Trump earning 37% of the white evangelical republican voters while Cruz received 20%. Prominent evangelical leaders have endorsed the front-runner such as Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. and former 2008 VP candidate Sarah Palin. Cruz also has prominent evangelicals endorsements such as Family Leader President Bob Vander Plaats, who played a huge role in 2008 Iowa win for Mike Huckabee and 2012 for Rick Santorum, and Family Research Council President Tony Perkins as well as Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family and host the radio show “Family Talk.” Other prominent endorsements for Cruz included Iowa Congressman Steve King, Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert, former Texas Governor Rick Perry, and Phil Robertson, star of the hit TV show Duck Dynasty. Phil’s son Willie Robertson has decided to endorse Trump for president.
When ask why the brothers decided to endorse Cruz over Trump, they pointed out the difference between Cruz and Trump using the bible to explain their opinion. “Willie Robertson brought up a good point about why he’s endorsing Trump, and we believe it summarizes why many evangelicals are endorsing him as well – strength and success. While these are good, in our opinion they are not proper initiators for biblical Christians – the Spirit of God is the missing piece,” the brothers explained. “ Our sacred book says, “Not by might, nor by power; but by My Spirit, says the Lord.” As Christians, we can never underestimate the power of God’s Spirit working in and through individuals–and the one thing that resists the Spirit more than anything else is pride. Senator Cruz has the humility to admit he cannot fix the nation–only God can. This aligns perfectly with our Christian values.”
PolitiChicks ask if the brothers were available to join the campaign stump for Cruz for the final hours of the Iowa caucus, but due to scheduling conflicts they couldn’t make it but really wish they could. As for Cruz winning Iowa, the brothers are praying for Christians in Iowa to turn out. “ If evangelicals turn out to vote, it won’t even be close – Ted would win by a landslide,” they said. “We’re praying that biblically informed Christians in Iowa get involved.”
Prior to the endorsement, Cruz’s campaign release out a statement in regards to the endorsement from the Benham Brothers joining their coalition. “David and Jason Benham are the kind of fighters America needs – the happy warriors,” Cruz said, referencing a Wordsworth poem that he often mentions on the campaign trail. “I admire the Benham brothers, their hard work ethic, their sense of humor, and their calm and courageous commitment to their convictions. I’m glad to partner with the Benhams’ to add more people of faith to our growing coalition.”
