REUTERS/Mike Blake
Republican U.S. presidential candidate and former Governor Jeb Bush (R) speaks about businessman Donald Trump (L) as Senator Ted Cruz (C) looks on during the Republican presidential debate in Las Vegas, Nevada December 15, 2015.
The New York Times notes that Bush is "the most prominent member of the Republican establishment to support the Texas senator."
Bush dropped out of the GOP presidential race on February 20. Since then, Cruz has run a solid second to billionaire businessman Donald Trump, ahead of Ohio governor John Kasich.
"With his endorsement of Mr. Cruz, Mr. Bush is sending two messages to voters: Reject Mr. Trump, and do not keep Mr. Kasich's candidacy alive," according to The Times.
Trump won the Arizona primary on Tuesday, while Cruz picked up all of Utah's delegates by winning more than 50% of the vote.
Bush's endorsement describes Cruz "as an antidote to the 'divisiveness and vulgarity' of Donald Trump," Politico reports.
"Today, I am endorsing Ted Cruz for President," Bush said in a statement. "Washington is broken, and the only way Republicans can hope to win back the White House and put our nation on a better path is to support a nominee who can articulate how conservative policies will help people rise up and reach their full potential."