Cruz makes last-minute appeal to voters

Ted Cruz talks to voters one day before the New Hampshire Primary. Photo By Julia Manchester

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Texas Senator Ted cruz drew more than 100 people from toddlers to college students, business people and veterans, on eve of the New Hampshire Primary, into a packed American Legion hall here.

Cruz frequently quoted from the Bible to appeal to his traditional base of Christians. He also spoke to voters’ anti-establishment sentiment, addressing what he frequently calls “the Washington Cartel.”

“Government should not be about redistributing wealth, and benefiting the giant corporations, and the special interests, an benefiting Washington,” said Cruz. “But rather, the role of government is to follow the constitutional allocated responsibilities, keep out country safe and to protect our liberties.”

New Hampshire voter Archie Richards was attracted to the senator’s commitment to limited government, something that far beyond party lines for Richards.

“I think that government is much too big,” said the Concord resident. “Both Republicans and Democrats kind of combine forces to keep government big. They like the money, they like to have crony capitalism, they like lobbyists coming in, they like the money going through their hands. Cruz doesn’t.”

Cruz has a struck a very personal cord with many voters. Cruz related to the audience through addressing the state’s heroine epidemic, and his family’s history with substance abuse.

“This is an issue I have first-hand experience with, both with my sister who struggled with drug and alcohol addiction her whole life, and ultimately lost her life in a drug overdose,” he said.

“Addiction is a disease. It needs to be treated as a disease.We need to help people overcome it,” Cruz said.

Throughout the campaign, Cruz has attracted voters concerned about the future of America. Manchester resident Matthew Higgins brought his young daughter, Madeline, to see the Republican presidential candidate.

“I’ve been trying to get involved more this year because I really care about my daughter’s future,” Higgins said.

Cruz won last week’s Iowa Caucuses with 27 percent of the vote. According to a CNN poll released on Monday, Cruz is trailing Trump and Rubio in New Hampshire with 13 percent of the vote.