South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will endorse Florida Sen. Marco Rubio Wednesday evening, according to a source close to the governor.
The State newspaper first reported that Haley, the most coveted endorser for Republicans in the state, will appear with Rubio at a scheduled rally in Chapin, S.C.. Haley had been torn between Rubio, Jeb Bush and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie—who quit the race last week.
In recent days, Rubio has lavished praise on Haley are an example of the type of leader the GOP needs to grow the party. The pair, both children of immigrants, share similar backgrounds.
The endorsement comes as Rubio looks to place well above Bush and Ohio Gov. John Kasich in hopes of establishing himself as the clear alternative to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and real estate mogul Donald Trump.
In an interview with NBC News on Tuesday, Bush said that a Haley endorsement would be “the most powerful, meaningful one in the state.”
Haley endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in 2011, a year in which she was also sought by candidates for her backing, though former Speaker Newt Gingrich ended up winning the state by 12 points.
This article was originally published on Time.com.
