Rolling out Libertarian supporters who previously backed Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul’s father in his presidential bids is part of Cruz’s aim to go after his rivals on their home field.  

“Our theory has always been that you need to crush your bracket first in order to advance,” Rick Tyler, a Cruz spokesperson, said, comparing the primary slog to the annual college basketball tournament.

“We don’t want to break out…we are moving slow and steady.” 

Tyler sees theGOP primary electorate as four distinct “brackets” of voters—libertarian, evangelical, Tea Party, and establishment candidates—and it’s clear that Cruz continues to make a play for all but the latter. 

Cruz’s “Liberty Leaders for Cruz” coalition, is made up of mostly former Rep. Ron Paul (Texas) supporters, a direct affront at Paul.