These 50 California Republicans are endorsing Ted Cruz

On a day he campaigned across Southern California, a sight few predicted just a few months ago, Republican Ted Cruz blasted out a list of 50 GOP elected officials now supporting his candidacy.

The list includes several dignitaries and party elders from across San Diego and Orange County, GOP-rich regions Cruz hopes will be crucial in his June 7 effort to keep Republican rival Donald Trump from reaching the requisite number of delegates for the party nomination.

Among them are Board of Equalization member Diane Harkey, the state’s highest-ranking elected Republican, state Sen. Ted Gaines and Assembly members Marie Waldron, Travis Allen, Brian Jones, Don Wagner and Jay Obernolte. Allen previously supported Marco Rubio, the Florida senator who dropped out of the race, while the rest were undecided along with most Legislative Republicans in January.

Others joining Cruz are Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel, the wife of Republican National Committeeman Shawn Steel, former Assembly Republican Leader Scott Baugh and San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith.

“I’m honored to receive the support of Republican leaders who are working hard to put conservative ideas into action in California,” Cruz said. “Conservatives are continuing to unite behind our campaign to win the Republican nomination and defeat Hillary Clinton in November, and the people of California will be critical to our success.”

Cruz aides have touted his operation here as expansive, particularly compared with the still-embryonic campaign of Trump, who has yet to release a comparable list of supporters.

Last week, Ohio Gov. John Kasich announced the endorsements of Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes and Assemblyman Rocky Chávez, R-Oceanside.

Here’s a full list of the Republicans Cruz announced are supporting his campaign on Monday:

Diane Harkey, Board of Equalization

Ted Gaines, state senator

Marie Waldron, assemblywoman

Travis Allen, assemblyman

Brian Jones, assemblyman

Don Wagner, assemblyman

Jay Obernolte, assemblyman

Jim Battin, former state senator

Dennis Hollingsworth, former state Senate Republican leader

Martin Garrick, former Assembly Republican leader

Scott Baugh, former Assembly Republican leader

Orange County officials:

Tony Beall, Rancho Santa Margarita mayor

Ryan Bent, Yorba Linda library commissioner

Alexandria Coronado, former school board member

Alexia Deligianni-Brydges, Orange Unified School Board

Robert Hammond, Orange County Board of Education president

Steven Knoblock, former San Clemente city councilman

Mark McCurdy, Fountain Valley city councilman

Mike Munzig, Aliso Viejo city council

Shawn Nelson, Orange County supervisor

Scott Peotter, Newport Beach City Council

Dwight Robinson, Lake Forest City Council

Michelle Steel, Orange County supervisor

Mike Vaughn, Rancho Santa Margarita City Council

San Diego County officials:

Kristine Alessio, La Mesa City Council

Bill Baber, La Mesa vice mayor

Richard Bailey, Coronado City Council

David Chong, La Mesa Spring Valley School Board

Gary Felien, former Oceanside city councilman

Ed Gallo, Escondido City Council

Robert “Camo” E. Gleisberg, Oceanside School Board

San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith

Kristal Jabara, San Marcos City Council

Rebecca Jones, San Marcos vice mayor

Jim Kelly, Grossmont Union High School District

Christi Knight, Escondido High School District

Ginger Marshall, Solana Beach City Council

John McCann, Chula Vista City Council

Bob McClellan, El Cajon City Council

Guy McWhirter, La Mesa City Council

Mike Morasco, Escondido vice mayor

Mark Muir, Encinitas City Council

Maureen “Mo” Muir, San Dieguito High School Board

Mark Packard, Carlsbad City Council

Amanda Rigby, Vista deputy mayor

Jean Roesch, former Southwestern Community College District board member

Mark Robak, Otay Water District

Robert Shield, Grossmont Union High School District

Randy Voepel, Santee mayor

Bill Wells, El Cajon mayor

Rick Winet, La Mesa School Board president

Previously announced:

Tom McClintock, congressman

Dana Rohrabacher, congressman

Matthew Harper, assemblyman

Shannon Grove, assemblywoman

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 8:50 AM.