South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is expected to make an announcement Wednesday night of who she backs in the South Carolina GOP Primary.
Haley’s endorsement comes just days before South Carolina Republicans vote in their primary. And her pick, according to The State newspaper – Senator Marco Rubio.
A Rubio spokesman reached by WFAE says they can’t confirm the news. The governor’s office has yet to reply.
Rubio already has the endorsements of two other high profile South Carolina Republicans: Senator Tim Scott and Representative Trey Gowdy. But Haley’s backing has been seen as a top prize in the endorsement race. Especially after her well received Republican response to President Obama’s State of the Union speech earlier this year.
This move may give the Rubio campaign a boost with some voters. But it comes with some potential risks for both candidate and endorser.
For Rubio, it increases expectations on how he does in Saturday’s Republican primary. He currently sits in third place according to recent polls.
As for Haley, she has been viewed as a possible Republican vice presidential candidate. Her endorsement had been courted by Jeb Bush, John Kasich and Ted Cruz. But backing a candidate who goes on to lose the GOP nomination could derail her chances of being a vice presidential running mate.