Within minutes of announcing the suspension of his presidential campaign Wednesday, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum was throwing his support behind another Republican candidates: Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.
Santorum said he wanted to “find a candidate that really espoused the values” he believes in, someone who has an “understanding of the central role of the family,” and someone “who has a a real understanding of the threat of ISIS… and has experience in this area.”
“That’s why we decided to support Marco Rubio,” he told Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren.
“He is a tremendously gifted man and he is a leader, just a born leader,” Santorum said. “[Rubio] is someone I feel a lot of confidence in. He is the new generation and someone who can bring this country together, not just moderates and conservatives, but young and old.”
Santorum indicated he had spoken with the Florida senator for more than an hour on Tuesday, prior to announcing his endorsement, but had not yet determined whether he would be joining Rubio on the campaign trail anytime soon.
“We haven’t really had any discussions,” he said.
Rubio, who spent Wednesday campaigning across New Hampshire, also earned the endorsement of another Pennsylvania politician Wednesday, Republican Sen. Pat Toomey.
“Marco has an extraordinary ability to communicate and to inspire people,” Toomey said Wednesday afternoon on CNN. “I think he’s going to be a really strong leader.”
So thankful & grateful for your support. Just not our year. So today please join me in supporting @marcorubio pic.twitter.com/VhgHo9trNp
— Rick Santorum (@RickSantorum) February 4, 2016
