Santorum endorses Black in governor’s race

Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santrorum (R-Pa.) has endorsed U.S. Rep. Diane Black for governor.

“With Diane Black in the Governor’s office, I am confident that the conservative values that make Tennessee great will be protected and preserved,” Santorum said in a release.

Santorum won the Republican presidential primary in Tennessee in 2012. (The 2008 winner was former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who has endorsed Randy Boyd.)

Here’s the release:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Today, former U.S. Senator and 2012 presidential candidate Rick Santorum (R-Penn.) announced his endorsement of Diane Black for Governor. Santorum won the Republican Presidential Primary in Tennessee with nearly 40 percent of the vote.

“I’ve always known Diane to be a strong conservative leader, a passionate advocate for the unborn and a champion for religious liberty and traditional values,” Santorum said. “With Diane Black in the Governor’s office, I am confident that the conservative values that make Tennessee great will be protected and preserved.”

“Rick Santorum is a champion for conservative principles,” Black said. “He’s a leader who is not afraid to fight for conservative values. Tennessee stood behind Rick in his 2012 race for President, and I’m proud to have him behind me in my race for Governor.”

On top of Santorum’s endorsement, Diane has also received endorsements from the NRA, SBA List, National Right to Life, Tennessee Right to Life, Family Research Council, American Conservative Union and nearly 3,000 elected officials and community leaders from across the state.