Today, Representative Nikki Haley received the endorsement of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who praised her efforts to fight wasteful government spending and singled her out as part of a “new generation of leadership for South Carolina.”

“Ann and I got to know Nikki Haley during my campaign for president and came away enormously impressed with her as a person of character and as the spokesperson for a new generation of leadership for South Carolina,” Governor Romney said. “She has a proven conservative record of fighting wasteful spending and advocating for smaller, more efficient government. I’m honored to call her my friend and prouder still to endorse her campaign for governor.”

Representative Haley, in turn, expressed her admiration for Governor Romney’s leadership and his extensive private sector experience.

“Governor Romney is a national leader and one of the most successful businessmen of his generation, and I’m honored to receive his support. He knows how to create jobs and turn the economy, and I look forward to leaning on him for support and advice as we do everything we can to put South Carolinians back to work.”

Governor Romney also announced that he will be joining Representative Haley on the campaign trail in South Carolina on April 1.