COLUMBIA -- S.C. Rep. Nikki Haley’s campaign for governor has announced that First Lady Jenny Sanford is endorsing the Lexington Republican for governor.

The other Republican candidates competing for their party’s nomination in the June primary election to succeed Gov. Mark Sanford include U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, S.C. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, Sen. Larry Grooms of Bonneau and Attorney General Henry McMaster.

In a letter posted on Haley’s campaign website, Sanford notes Haley’s victory over Republican Larry Koon in 2004 and urges financial support for Haley’s campaign.

“Five years ago she shook up the political establishment by running against, and beating, the longest serving member of the General Assembly. And she did it running as a real conservative in a Republican primary. That takes guts, and it takes smarts, and Nikki has lots of both,” writes Sanford.

The mother of four moved to the family’s Sullivan’s Island home over the summer after the Republican governor confessed to an extramarital affair.

A spokeswoman for the first lady confirmed the endorsement this morning.

The letter reads “Paid for by Nikki Haley for Governor,” but Haley campaign spokesman Tim Pearson said the document was a letter to voters.

In closing, the first lady writes: “We all know this past year has been very difficult for our state on many levels. It’s been hard for me and my family too. But our family is resilient, and we will be fine. And the people of our state are resilient too. ... Nikki Haley would be exactly the kind of refreshing, inspiring, energetic, determined governor South Carolina needs to effectively lead our state to a brighter future.”

ONLINE EXTRA:

Click here to view a PDF of the letter of endorsement written by Jenny Sanford.

Reach Sarita Chourey sarita.chourey@morris.com or (803) 727-4257