Republican hopeful Ted Cruz wraps up SoCal visit with fundraiser in Newport Beach

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz wrapped up his visit to Southern California Thursday with a fundraiser in Newport Beach.

Cellphone video captured at the fundraiser showed Cruz speaking at the Pacific Club. The organization Catholic Vote co-sponsored the event.

"Sen. Cruz is surging in the polls. Sen. Cruz is the man who has the experience, has the background that's needed to lead this country," said Michael Caspino with Catholic Vote.

The latest polls show Cruz leads Donald Trump and John Kasich in Tuesday's primary in Wisconsin, which are numbers Cruz's people are watching closely.

Ron Nehring, national spokesperson for Cruz's campaign, emphasized the importance of the California primary this election year.

"We're going to compete in every part of California from Northern California to Silicon Valley, Central Valley and then L.A. County, Southland, Inland Empire, everywhere," he said.

The senator's campaign did not allow media at the fundraiser or the opportunity to speak with him. But he did make an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Wednesday night.

One attendee at the fundraiser told Eyewitness News he believes Cruz has proven himself. But, like Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, he is critical of the senator's plan to patrol Muslim neighborhoods.

"I don't know what to say about that because I'm married to a peace-loving Muslim and I'm Episcopalian and we all seem to get along just fine," he said.