May 25, 2016

Santorum endorses Trump after 'heart-to-heart' conversation

Former Pennsylvania senator cites Supreme Court in decision

By Daniel Craig
PhillyVoice Staff

Slowly but surely, several of Donald Trump's former election rivals are falling in line to endorse the presumptive GOP nominee. Count Pennsylvania's Rick Santorum among them.

The former U.S. senator said on Facebook late Tuesday night he was supporting Trump after having a "heart-to-heart" with him. Santorum's main reason, apparently, is that so Hillary Clinton doesn't pick the next Supreme Court justice, as President Barack Obama's pick, Merrick Garland, awaits an uncertain future with a Republican-controlled Senate.

Here's Santorum's endorsement:

The most important issue is preserving the Constitution of this country and a liberal Supreme Court will destroy it. Over the past several weeks, I’ve had numerous conversations with senior members of the Trump Campaign, including a long heart-to-heart with Donald Trump.

Donald and I spoke about the need to nominate strong, strict constructionist, constitutionalist judges to the Supreme Court. I highlighted several potential candidates, and I was incredibly encouraged when he included many of my recommendations in his list of potential nominees.

I am committed to working with Donald and his Administration to ensure that conservative priorities are advanced – not simply judicial nominees, but nominees to key administration positions.

Together we can help him make America great again! #‎Trump2016

In February, Santorum ended his campaign for the GOP nomination and backed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who has since dropped out as well.

Santorum said earlier this month in an interview with WPHT 1210 that Trump stood a real chance at winning Pennsylvania, the state he used to represent:

“It’s absolutely in play. Absolutely. As someone who’s won the state...twice and delivered a message that was much more economically populist than the typical Republican candidate, it’s a message that sells very, very well in Delaware County. It sells in Lower Bucks and in the Northeast. It can sell in the southeast. It can sell in the northeast…and it can sell out west.”

On Twitter, Trump called Santorum's endorsement "nice."