Yep, I think many of these candidates are in the race for the sole purpose to derail Cruz.
Heck, if enough of them get even a little traction, they can force Cruz out of the debates entirely (by saying as Fox just did, 10 is the max)
Huckabee is another one.
His role is to dilute evangelical votes from Cruz.
There are quid pro quo’s.
There is no reason for him to run other than to weaken Cruz. Afterward, he gets to return to an assured lucrative FOX gig as a two-time presidential candidate.