Often claims of rival candidates meeting or coordinating are quickly dismissed; this time they are being confirmed. As The New York Times reports, Ted Cruz and John Kasich will each stand aside in certain states in order to let the other have a chance at stopping frontrunner Donald Trump:

In a statement late Sunday night, Mr. Cruz’s campaign manager, Jeff Roe, said that the campaign would “focus its time and resources in Indiana and in turn clear the path for Governor Kasich to compete in Oregon and New Mexico.”

Minutes after Mr. Roe’s statement, the Kasich campaign put out a similar message. The Ohio governor’s chief strategist, John Weaver, said that his campaign would shift its resources to states in the West and “give the Cruz campaign a clear path in Indiana.”

The Times reports that the deal was struck by campaign managers Roe and Weaver and that the candidates themselves did not discuss the deal with each other. The campaigns said they expect third party groups such as SuperPACs to follow suit.

Kasich's campaign had tried to broker such a deal a month ago but was rebuffed by the Cruz camp. While neither Cruz nor Kasich can win enough delegates to secure the nomination, they could ensure that Trump stays below the 1,237 needed to win.

The Freedom Center is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Therefore we do not endorse political candidates either in primary or general elections. However, as defenders of America’s social contract, we insist that the rules laid down by both parties at the outset of campaigns be respected, and that the results be decided by free elections. We will oppose any attempt to rig the system and deny voters of either party their constitutional right to elect candidates of their choice.