Donald Trump
Donald TrumpPhoto: im Young, Reuters

Republican presidential hopefuls Ted Cruz and John Kasich announced a deal on Sunday to coordinate in future primary contests in an effort to deny front-runner Donald Trump the Republican presidential nomination.

Within minutes of each other, the Texas Senator and Ohio Governor revealed their strategy to block Trump from gaining the necessary 1,237 delegates.

The pair said they will divide their efforts in upcoming contests, with Cruz focusing on Indiana and Kasich devoting his efforts to Oregon and New Mexico.

“To ensure that we nominate a Republican who can unify the Republican Party and win in November, our campaign will focus its time and resources in Indiana and in turn clear the path for Gov. Kasich to compete in Oregon and New Mexico, and we would hope that allies of both campaigns would follow our lead,” said Cruz’s campaign manager Jeff Roe.

“Our goal is to have an open convention in Cleveland, where we are confident a candidate capable of uniting the party and winning in November will emerge as the nominee,” said Kasich's campaign manager John Weaver.

Trump was quick to respond to the announcement and posted on his Twitter: "Wow, just announced that Lyin' Ted and Kasich are going to collude in order to keep me from getting the Republican nomination. DESPERATION!"