Photo courtesy of the Associated Press
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is backing Rick Santorum's presidential bid.
The former U.S. senator is expected to make the announcement at a news conference Friday at the statehouse in Columbus.
Republicans with direct knowledge of the pending endorsement disclosed it to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. CNN also reported the endorsement.
DeWine served four terms in the House and two terms in the Senate before losing his re-election bid to Sherrod Brown in 2006.
He served as the chairman of Sen. John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign in Ohio and won a close election for state attorney general in 2010.
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