Rick Santorum, the former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, has reportedly secured an endorsement from former Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo
The failed gubernatorial and presidential candidate is a tea party favorite, and is widely seen as a key leader in the state of Colorado. Mr. Santorum was campaigning in Colorado on Wednesday ahead of next week’s Republican caucuses there, in hopes of building some momentum for his White House bid.
Mr. Santorum’s latest endorsement comes as Tuesday’s Florida primary election left him far behind Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, and Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker. Mr. Santorum, who won the Iowa caucus in early January, is widely seen as trailing the Republican front-runners and it remains unclear whether the former U.S. senator will have enough cash to remain in the race past the end of February.
Mr. Tancredo, a controversial figure, sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, focusing immigration reform policies. The Colorado Republican strongly opposed efforts by Arizona Senator John McCain, who became the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, to pass legislation that included a path to U.S. citizenship for illegal immigrants.
Mr. Tancredo endorsed Mr. Romney during the 2008 presidential primary. Speaking earlier this year, the former Colorado congressman said he would not support Mr. Gingrich, adding he believes that Mr. Gingrich supports amnesty for illegal immigrants, a position Mr. Tancredo said he could not support.
Mr. Santorum also was endorsed Wednesday by former congressman Bob Shaffer and former Lt. Governor Jane Norton.
