Ted Cruz Now Says He Will Vote For Donald Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) - Ted Cruz says he's voting for Donald Trump for president - a shocking about-face after he rocked the Republican convention by dramatically refusing to do so.

The Texas senator says on Facebook that he made the decision for two reasons. First, his promise to support the Republican nominee. And second, his belief that Democrat Hillary Clinton is "wholly unacceptable."

The flip-flop was a stunner since the Texan was booed lustily during a floor speech at his party's convention for urging Republicans to "vote your conscious" without naming Trump.

Cruz finished second to Trump in a bitter primary and for months balked in offering support, despite his previous pledge to endorse the eventual Republican nominee.

Polls have since suggested that Cruz's popularity was slipping nationally and back home in Texas, where he could face a primary challenger for re-election in 2018.