Ted Cruz's quest for the White House received a big boost on Feb. 24 when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared his support for Cruz.

"It's our duty as Texas conservatives to support a leader we can trust to restore our values and move this country forward. That's why I'm supporting Ted Cruz for president," said Abbot in a video announcing his decision.

Cruz had worked as solicitor general under Abbott, while the latter had been attorney general of the Lone Star State.

Cruz said it was "one of the greatest honors of my life" to be supported by Abbot, whom Cruz called his mentor. "This is a man of strength, a man of character, a man of integrity, a man who loves Texas and loves America," Cruz said, according to The Washington Post.

"Ted is a constitutionalist, whose judgment I trust to appoint the right judges to the United States Supreme Court. To my fellow Texas conservatives, I say this -we need to deliver. This is our time. Ted Cruz is our candidate. Now let's do our part to take this country back," Abbot continues in the video in which he praised Cruz, saying that he was "principled, fearless" and had" true conviction."