South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will endorse Marco Rubio Wednesday, three days before the state’s Republican presidential primary.
In a major endorsement, Haley will join Rubio at a rally in Chapin, S.C., Wednesday night, South Carolina’s The State reported.
Haley gave a fiery State of the Union response speech in January that targeted Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump as much as it targeted President Obama.
Haley joins South Carolina’s junior U.S. senator, Tim Scott, in backing Rubio. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., has endorsed Jeb Bush.
Both Rubio and Bush lag behind Trump in the polls in South Carolina, however. Further, Bush signaled Tuesday to NBC that Haley’s endorsement was the most important in the state.
“She is the probably the most meaningful endorsement if there is, if she is going to give an endorsement it would be the most powerful meaningful one in the state,” Bush said.
Bush said that if he did not secure her endorsement, as is now the case, that “it sends a signal that I got to work harder.” Bush and Haley have worked on education policy matters in the past, and have in common having served or serving as governors of sunbelt states.
According to AP, Bush said he was “disappointed” in the news Wedensday.
“She’s a very good governor and should I win the nomination, there’ll be a role for her in the campaign,” Bush said.
Another blow for Bush in a week that has not yet seen him enhance his standing in the polls, despite ample speaking time at last Saturday’s debate, and the public appearance of his brother, President George W. Bush, in the state. The 43rd president remains popular and highly approved of in the state. Donald Trump heavily criticized Bush’s presidency at the debate, to no apparent significant detriment, at least yet, in the polls.
In a CNN poll of the state released Tuesday, Trump led at 38 percent, with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz second at 22 percent, and Rubio third at 14 percent. Bush placed fourth, at 10 percent.
