Good points. I think many here sense that the primary process is rigged by rules from the RNC and that is why it is felt these candidates are ‘selected’ rather than elected.
I imagine there are other procedural rules built in that are designed to help their anointed one.
Cruz has been building support in Iowa and New Hampshire since he won his seat. He sees the fight. And he nearly got Malinda Garcia elected, she got more votes than any of the polls predicted.