Those in attendance heard Cruz speak about elements of his son's platforms including faith and second amendment rights.
Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz' father, Rafael Cruz, held a private meet and greet Monday at The Joshua Cup in Crawfordsville. Local business leaders, faith leaders and Wabash students were in attendance.
Crawfordsville became a stop on the presidential campaign trail when Sen. Ted Cruz’ father, Rafael Cruz, held a private meet and greet Monday at The Joshua Cup.
The gathering was very small, with approximately 20 people in attendance including local business leaders, faith leaders and Wabash students.
“I thought it was neat how he met with such a small group,” said Wabash freshman Logan White. “I mean, Crawfordsville isn’t a very big city at all, so I thought it was very nice of him to come out and support his son like this.”
Tami Martin, manager at The Joshua Cup, received a call asking to use the coffee shop Monday morning. Martin said she felt so blessed that — out of so many possible places — they chose The Joshua Cup.
The setting was recommended by David Troutman, Wabash College’s director of gift planning, who has connections to Cruz campaign staffers. Troutman said one of the reasons he made the recommendations was because he felt the both The Joshua Cup and the Cruz campaign had similar foundations of faith.
“It was neat that we got to do this,” said Isaac Zull, pastor of First Baptist Church, “and it was great that it was here in Crawfordsville.”
Cruz opened up the meeting by explaining how crucial this election will be for the future of America. He spoke about the dangers of electing another democrat president, especially after the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
He went on to describe to those in attendance why his son would make the best president and explain pieces of the senator’s platforms including faith, life, religious liberties and second amendment rights.
“He talked about the strong Christian person that (Sen. Ted Cruz) is and how we knows so much about the Constitution,” retired teacher Susie Locker said. “And that’s what our country’s based on.”
The Indiana primary election is May 3, and 57 Republican delegates are up for grabs. This is the first year in decades that the Indiana’s primary will matter to the presidential election, which means that the state is about to get a lot of attention from the five candidates. Sen. Ted Cruz will make an appearance himself at a dinner later this week, and Indianapolis officials are preparing for a possible visit from Donald Trump.
“This will be my first time ever being able to vote,” White said, “so it’s pretty interesting seeing the different candidates. It’s definitely going to be one I’m going to remember from a political standpoint and it being the first time I’m able to vote.”
White said the meeting with Cruz helped back up some of what he already knew about the presidential candidate but it also taught him a lot too.
And that was a common theme as attendees were leaving — a theme that might continue in cities across the state until May 3.
“We’re glad we came,” Bill Locker said. “We learned a lot and feel like we know who we’re going to vote for.”
