With costly fight ahead against Trump, Cruz courts new donors

Republican U.S. presidential candidate Ted Cruz arrives at a campaign rally in Provo, Utah March 19, 2016. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz is leaning on new sources of cash as he prepares for a long primary fight against front-runner Donald Trump, with new campaign finance filings showing the expense of competing against a billionaire adept at grabbing headlines.

Cruz's more traditional campaign has struggled to compete with Trump. The U.S. senator from Texas poured money into advertising, staff and calls to voters, spending $5.6 million more in February than he raised as he tried to outmaneuver Trump, according to campaign finance records made public on Sunday.