Donald Trump, Ted Cruz feud over wives as Republican race turns ugly

WASHINGTON: The Republican presidential nominee race has hit a new low with front-runner Donald Trump and his nearest rival Ted Cruz dragging each other's wives in their political squabbling which is rarely seen in American politics.

"It's not easy to tick me off. I don't get angry often. But you mess with my wife, you mess with my kids, that'll do it every time," Texas Senator Cruz told reporters in Wisconsin as the Republican race to the White House entered a nasty phase.

"Donald, you're a snivelling coward. Leave Heidi the hell alone," an angry Cruz said hours after the real estate tycoon launched a series of attacks against his wife.

Earlier, Trump shared an image on Twitter comparing his wife, Melania, a former model, to Cruz's wife, stating, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

Cruz responded by saying, "Donald, real men don't attack women. Your wife is lovely, and Heidi is the love of my life."

It all started with a super political affairs committee which campaigns for Cruz ran an ad with a nude picture of Melania.

An angry Trump tweeted that he would spill the beans on Cruz's wife. Cruz, however, denied any role of his in the advertisement.

"Donald, if you try to attack Heidi, you're more of a coward than I thought," Cruz said.

Trump is currently leading the Republican pack as he now requires less than 500 delegates to reach the figure if 1,237 necessary to win the party's presidential nomination.

Cruz is far behind Trump in terms of delegate count but hopes to overcome him during the rest of the primary season.