Sen. Ted Cruz to make presidential campaign stop in Phoenix

PHOENIX — Sen. Ted Cruz will address supporters in Phoenix when he brings his presidential campaign to town in September.

Cruz is scheduled to be in Phoenix on Sept. 12 as part of the National Federation of Republican Women’s biannual convention. He is expected to appear at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa near Deer Valley Road and Tatum Boulevard.

The Texas Republican is one of nearly 20 to throw his hat into the GOP nominee race, which has been taken over by billionaire Donald Trump.

While Trump has drawn criticism over his statements on illegal immigration, Cruz has taken heat after he delivered a broadside to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell when Cruz accused McConnell of lying.

At issue were assurances Cruz claimed McConnell (R-Ky.), had given that there was no deal to allow a vote to renew the federal Export-Import Bank — a little-known federal agency that has become a rallying cry for conservatives. Cruz rose to deliver his remarks moments after McConnell had lined up a vote on the Export-Import Bank for coming days.

“It saddens me to say this. I sat in my office, I told my staff the majority leader looked me in the eye and looked 54 Republicans in the eye. I cannot believe he would tell a flat-out lie,” Cruz said.

“We now know that when the majority leader looks us in the eyes and makes an explicit commitment that he is willing to say things that he knows are false.”

Two 2016 presidential candidates have visited the Valley so far — Trump and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Both Trump and Sanders moved their events to allow more spectators.

The NFRW convention is expected to draw about 1,300 women to the Valley.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.