Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri endorsed former President Donald Trump for president on Tuesday.
Hawley had previously said he believed Trump would win the GOP nomination but had stopped short of officially endorsing him. Hawley became the 18th Republican senator to back Trump in an interview with POLITICO.
“President Trump doesn’t need to worry. I’m with him. He’s asked me several times to support him. I said yes. And I’ve been saying for a year that I think he’s gonna be the nominee. I support him. I’m gonna vote for him,” Hawley said. “Don’t worry — you can put me down as support, endorsed, stand with.”
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On Sunday, the former president posted a warning to Hawley and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) about upcoming election battles they face, saying the senators should be “very careful.”
“So interesting that the Democrats are looking hard at the Senate races in both Missouri and Texas. Josh and Ted must be very careful, stranger things have happened!!!” Trump wrote.
Trump is leading the primary field with 60% support nationally, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley are battling for second at 12.6 points and 12.1 points, respectively. The rest of the field sits under 5 points.
Haley’s campaign received a boost in New Hampshire, the second primary state, on Monday with the endorsement of New Hampshire Republican Governor Chris Sununu.
“This is an opportunity for New Hampshire to lead this country, for New Hampshire to say we’re not looking in the rearview mirror anymore,” Sununu said at a town hall event in Manchester alongside Haley. “You bet your a** I am. We’re all in for Nikki Haley.”
The primary race is closer in New Hampshire, but Trump still leads the field by about 26 points, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average. Trump leads with about 44% support, Haley is in second at about 19%, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is in third with 13%.
DeSantis has invested heavily in early states, especially in Iowa, where he is sitting second in polling behind Trump, though the state nominates by caucus instead of popular vote. DeSantis has received endorsements from influential names in Iowa, such as Republican Governor Kim Reynolds and evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats.