Cruz Campaign Press Release - Cruz for President Makes National TV Buy on Easter Weekend

HOUSTON, TX – Today, the Cruz for President campaign unexpectedly announced a national television buy for Easter weekend. The campaign will run a 30-second spot called 'Blessing' that will appear in four early primary states: Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. The spot is also scheduled to air on the Fox News Channel during 'Killing Jesus,' a program based upon the best-selling book by television host Bill O'Reilly. The documentary will run on Good Friday and on Easter. The ad is scheduled to appear twice in each airing.

The spot is the first presidential ad buy of the 2016 election cycle, appearing much earlier than campaigns have historically run advertisements. It will run at a time when Cruz is the only announced candidate for president for 2016 and several polls show him "vault[ing] into the top tier of GOP contenders," as one news outlet put it. Cruz made his announcement on March 23 speaking at Liberty University, the world's largest Christian university.

'Killing Jesus' first ran on the National Geographic cable channel with 3.7 million viewers tuning in. The Fox News airing of 'Killing Jesus' is expected to draw a similarly large Christian audience.

The ad from Cruz for President pulls from several personal moments Cruz spoke about during the announcement speech at Liberty University and conveys the story of how the transformative love of Jesus Christ reunited a son with his father.

TRANSCRIPT

"Were it not for the transformative love of Jesus Christ, I would have been raised by a single mom without my father in the household."

"God's blessing has been on America from the very beginning of this nation."

"Over and over again, when we faced impossible odds, the American people rose to the challenge."

"This is our fight, and that is why I'm running for President of the United States."

"I'm Ted Cruz, and I approve this message."