South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said Wednesday that she is backing Ted Cruz's run for the Republican presidential nomination — though not formally endorsing the Texas senator — now that Marco Rubio has quit the race.
"My hope and my prayer is that Sen. Cruz can come through so that he can push through and really get to where he needs to go," Haley told reporters in Columbia,
The State reports. "Because we do want a strong leader.
"We do want somebody that's conservative," she added. "We do want somebody that's action-minded."
When asked specifically whether she endorsed Cruz, Haley said, "I very much want to see Sen. Cruz now be able to move through the ranks and get that top position."
Haley, 44, endorsed Rubio last month and campaigned throughout South Carolina with the Florida senator leading up to the state's March 1 primary. Rubio lost the race by 10 points to Donald Trump, finishing second.
He suspended his campaign after another bruising loss to the front-runner in Tuesday's Sunshine State primary. He also placed second.
Haley also congratulated John Kasich for his win in Ohio, adding that she would support the eventual nominee — even if it was Trump.
"Ask me when the time comes again, but as of now I strongly believe I will support the Republican nominee," she said.
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