This post was updated at 6:18 p.m. ET.
Rick Perry has picked up the endorsement of a fellow Republican governor: CNN reports: Gov. Bobby Jindal, from neighboring Louisiana, who has often been mentioned in political media as a potential vice-presidential running mate.
Jindal will also reportedly be Perry’s guest at tonight’s “Tea Party Republican Debate,” broadcast on CNN from Tampa, Florida. Jindal is expected to officially announce his endorsement of Perry before the debate.
Jindal’s endorsement comes on the same day as former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty endorsed Mitt Romney. Pawlenty, who ran for the Republican nomination but dropped out of the presidential race last month after a poor third-place showing in the Iowa straw poll, will be Romney’s guest at the debate tonight.
Late Update: The Perry campaign has officially announced Jindal’s endorsement in a press release:
“Rick Perry is the candidate who can lead our party to victory in 2012,” said Gov. Jindal. “His record on job creation simply cannot be beat, and the one million jobs he’s helped create as governor is a stark contrast to the 2.4 million jobs lost on President Obama’s watch. President Obama promised hope, but he simply hasn’t delivered. Rick Perry will bring our country more than hope – he’ll get America working again.”
