CHAPIN, S.C. -- A three-way feud among the Republicans' leading White House contenders has escalated, with Ted Cruz daring Donald Trump to sue him and dismissing Marco Rubio's charges of dishonesty just days before South Carolina's high-stakes primary on Saturday.
Rubio may have scored Wednesday's biggest win as he secured the coveted endorsement of South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. "If we elect Marco Rubio, every day will be a great day in America," the popular governor said.
While polls indicate that Trump has a large lead in South Carolina and other states, the Democratic race remains close. Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders face off in the Nevada caucuses on Saturday, and the South Carolina primary for them is on Feb. 27.
Though the general election is in November and parties' nominating conventions are still months away, these early-voting states help pare down the field and focus momentum. Another win for Trump, or Sanders, after their New Hampshire victories would indicate that they are contenders who can't be dismissed.
Cruz has been trying to defend himself against charges of dishonesty from Trump and Rubio for weeks.
Trump threatened earlier in the week to bring a defamation lawsuit against Cruz over a television ad that attacks the Republican front-runner's conservative bona fides. The ad features footage of the billionaire businessman in a 1999 interview supporting abortion rights. Trump now says he opposes abortion.
"Even in the annals of frivolous lawsuits, this takes the cake," Cruz said.
Polls suggest Trump continues to hold a big lead in South Carolina and in upcoming states, as Cruz works to rally the Republican Party's most conservative wing and Rubio tries to win over mainstream Republicans. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Ohio Gov. John Kasich continue to battle for a spot at the table, while retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson struggles for relevancy.
On Thursday, more than 300 pastors and other religious leaders in South Carolina endorsed Cruz for president. Cruz's win in the Iowa caucuses was fueled by a similar coalition of evangelical support.
Rubio continued his assault against Cruz's campaign tactics. He accused Cruz supporters of creating a fake Facebook page wrongly claiming that South Carolina Rep. Trey Gowdy had switched his endorsement from the Florida senator to Cruz. Cruz denied being involved with anything untoward.
Among the Democrats, the fight for the support of women and the black and Latino votes continued.
On Thursday, Sanders spokesman Michael Briggs distanced the senator from comments by rapper Killer Mike, who told a rally this week that "a uterus doesn't qualify you to be president of the United States," a reference to Clinton.
Briggs said Sanders doesn't "believe that gender should be the reason we vote for or against anyone."
