Alabama Gov. Votes for Santorum, But Stays Clear of Endorsing - East Idaho News
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Alabama Gov. Votes for Santorum, But Stays Clear of Endorsing

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031212 AlabamaTheatre?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1331669360912ABC News(MONTGOMERY, Ala.) — The Rick Santorum campaign touted the news Tuesday morning that Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley had voted for the former Pennsylvania senator in the state’s primary. But the governor’s office has put out a statement saying that while he did cast his vote for Santorum and believes he is “the most conservative candidate” in the primary, he does not endorse him.

“Governor Bentley has chosen not to publicly endorse a candidate,” the statement from Deputy Press Secretary Leah Garner read. “He believes a vote is a personal decision that should be based on a voter’s values and principles, not on someone else’s opinion. The Governor was asked as a voter who he would vote for, and he answered that he had personally chosen to vote for Rick Santorum. The Republican primary features a strong pool of candidates, and Governor Bentley has made it clear he will fully support the Republican nominee chosen by the people.”

Tuesday morning, Santorum’s Twitter account touted the news and the campaign quickly put out a statement with a photograph of Santorum and his wife, Karen, with the governor announcing the news.

Mississippi also holds its primary Tuesday. Santorum along with Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney are locked in a three-way tie, according to recent polls.

Mississippi Congressman Alan Nunnelee endorsed Santorum Tuesday and said in a statement he plans to vote for him.

Santorum will have his primary night party not in either voting state, but in Louisiana, which votes on March 24th. His super PAC announced Tuesday that they were pouring $260,000 dollars into an ad buy in the state.  The television ad will focus on energy.

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