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Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson is backing Ohio Gov. John Kasich

Thompson said voting for Ted Cruz or Donald Trump is actually voting for Hillary Clinton

Washington CNN  — 

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson said Tuesday that Ted Cruz is wrong to call Ohio Gov. John Kasich “a spoiler” and that voting for the Texas senator ultimately benefits Hillary Clinton.

“I think that Ted Cruz is trying to get as many votes as he possibly can and trying to get them away from John Kasich,” he told CNN’s Alisyn Camerota on “New Day.” “I think a vote for Ted Cruz is actually a vote for Hillary Clinton. I don’t think Ted Cruz could beat Hillary Clinton.”

RELATED: Cruz on Kasich: ‘You can’t lose every state and expect to be the nominee’

Thompson, Wisconsin chairman of Kasich for President, said he hopes the Ohio governor wins the Wisconsin primary April 5 but he is ultimately focused on the general election.

“I know John Kasich, head to head, is the best candidate Republicans can put up to beat Hillary Clinton. If you vote for Ted Cruz or Donald Trump, you’re actually voting for Hillary Clinton,” he said.

Thompson believes Kasich is set up to win Wisconsin but says voters could go either way.

“It’s a very well-informed electorate. As you know Wisconsin is a state where you really don’t know how the people are going to vote,” he said. “Wisconsin is a very independent state.”

RELATED: Wisconsin: The next stop for the anti-Trump crusade