Ted Cruz suspends campaign for 2016 US presidential race

US Republican presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks during a campaign rally at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on May 2, 2016. (AFP photo)

US Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz officially suspends his presidential campaign following his failure in the Indiana primary.

"From the beginning, I said I would continue on as long as there was a viable path to victory," Cruz said in his speech before the supporters.

"Tonight, I'm sorry to say, it appears that path has been foreclosed. Together we left it all on the field in Indiana. We gave it everything we got. But the voters chose another path. And so, with a heavy heart, but with boundless optimism for the long-term future of our nation, we are suspending our campaign."

Cruz’s decision came in the wake of several losses in the primaries in the US.

Along with Ohio Governor John Kasich, Cruz was trying to prevent Trump from winning the 1,237 delegates needed to secure the GOP nomination, a goal that seems too far-fetched after the Indiana primary loss.

Prior to Indiana, Cruz hoped to emerge as the nominee through a contested convention.

An official with the #NeverTrump PAC said, however, that efforts would continue to topple the controversial candidate.

"Obviously Trump's victory in Indiana makes the road ahead more challenging," a representative from the #NeverTrump PAC said in a Tuesday evening statement, adding that the group will continue to seek to oppose him.

The nomination will be finalized in the 2016 Republican National Convention, set to be held in Cleveland, Ohio at the Quicken Loans Arena from July 18 to 21.

With Cruz's departure, Kasich remains as the only candidate in the race to challenge Trump. 

After the Cruz campaign was suspended, the Kasich campaign said in a statement that the Indiana results "are not going to alter" his plans.

"Our strategy has been and continues to be one that involves winning the nomination at an open convention," read the statement.