AUSTIN (AP) - Former presidential candidate Rick Santorum has endorsed tea party favorite Ted Cruz in the race for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas.

The ex-Pennsylvania senator made the announcement Thursday on conservative host Glenn Beck’s radio show.

Cruz is an attorney and former state solicitor general. He’s in a tight race for the Republican nomination to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison ahead of Tuesday’s Texas primary.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is the race’s perceived front-runner, but some polls have Cruz making up ground. Also running are ex-Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and Craig James, a former football star and ESPN commentator.

Opinion polls showed Santorum with strong support in Texas before he abandoned his presidential bid.

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