Judd Gregg, a former GOP governor and congressman from NH, endorses Nikki Haley in 2024 race

Manchester, N.H. – Judd Gregg, a former Republican governor and congressman from New Hampshire, boosted Nikki Haley's 2024 campaign Tuesday, endorsing the former South Carolina governor and describing her as a candidate "in the tradition of Ronald Reagan."

"New Hampshire, because of our unique and appropriate role as the 'first in the nation,' has a special obligation to our party and to the country to select a strong leader," Gregg, who was a staple in Granite State politics for more than 30 years, wrote in a Union Leader op-ed. "In choosing Nikki Haley, New Hampshire can once again fulfill that responsibility."

Gregg was a member of the U.S. House during the Reagan years from 1981 to 1989. After that, he was governor of New Hampshire between 1989 and 1993, and then served in the U.S. Senate until 2011.

His endorsement comes just a day after current Republican Gov. Chris Sununu appeared at campaign events across the state with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, one of Haley's leading rivals in the race.

Sununu, who positioned himself as DeSantis' ambassador to the state, has appeared with numerous candidates and has yet to make an endorsement in the contest. Among the key deciding factors informing that decision will be a candidate's electability, he told a crowd of voters at a DeSantis town hall Tuesday in Rye, New Hampshire

Gregg echoed a similar sentiment while outlining his support for Haley, who served as a former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under President Donald Trump.

"We need a presidential candidate who can win! Nikki Haley is an exceptionally strong leader. She has the vitality, ability, experience, and character to bring not only our party together but importantly the nation together," the 76-year-old argued.

The latest USA TODAY/Suffolk University survey showed Haley's support rising across the country, with 11% of registered voters who plan to vote in GOP primaries or caucuses now backing her. That's up from 4% in a June poll and just 1 point below DeSantis.

Haley in a statement said she's "honored to have Gregg's support. As a governor and senator, he fought for fiscal responsibility that always put taxpayers first. Together, we’ll fight for a strong and proud America!”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Judd Gregg, a former governor and senator, is backing Nikki Haley