Politics / Election 2016 Rubio Gets Big Endorsement Ahead of SC Primary Gov. Nikki Haley is endorsing him By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Feb 17, 2016 2:35 PM CST Copied South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley delivers the State of the State in the House chambers at the South Carolina Statehouse Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, in Columbia, SC. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford) South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is endorsing Marco Rubio ahead of Saturday's first-in-the-South Republican presidential primary, the AP reports. A person close to the Republican governor with direct knowledge of her decision says she will endorse Rubio at his event Wednesday night in Lexington County. Haley's endorsement was considered the most coveted among South Carolina politicians. She joins Sen. Tim Scott and Rep. Trey Gowdy in endorsing Rubio, who was in third place in recent polling in the state. (Here's how things are shaping up in Nevada.) Report an error