Sam Clovis is arguably having the best week of his U.S. Senate campaign. Former Senator Rick Santorum, who narrowly won the 2012 Iowa Republican caucuses, finally got behind Clovis on Wednesday. I’ve posted the official announcement after the jump. Earlier this week, Clovis got the public backing of two other popular figures among Iowa social conservatives: talk radio host Steve Deace and former gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats. All of the above have way more stature among Iowa Republicans than the fringe figures who had previously endorsed Clovis, such as Congressman Louie Gohmert of Texas.

I was surprised Santorum didn’t take this step sooner. As a talk radio host in northwest Iowa, Clovis was a big supporter of Santorum’s last presidential campaign, and he modeled his Senate bid on the same grassroots approach. Last fall, Clovis hired Chuck Laudner, a veteran of the 2012 Santorum effort in Iowa, to manage his Senate campaign.

I have no idea whether Santorum can help turn things around for Clovis, who can’t afford anything like the paid media supporting State Senator Joni Ernst, let alone self-funder Mark Jacobs. But even if Clovis fails to win the GOP primary, backing him may boost Santorum’s reputation in Iowa among Republicans looking for an uncompromising conservative. His previous endorsements in this year’s Congressional races were a bit of a bust. State Representative Walt Rogers didn’t even make it to the starting line as a candidate in IA-01, and Secretary of State Matt Schultz has had to contend with embarrassing news about his management as he fights for the GOP nomination in IA-03.

Two other past GOP presidential candidates have endorsed Republicans running for Iowa’s open U.S Senate seat. Texas Governor Rick Perry is backing Matt Whitaker, while 2012 nominee Mitt Romney is backing Ernst, as is Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, a possible presidential contender in 2016 or 2020.

Clovis for Senate press release, May 14:

IOWA CAUCUS WINNER RICK SANTORUM ENDORSES SAM CLOVIS

Sioux City – “I am proud to announce that Rick Santorum, winner of the 2012 Iowa Caucus, today, has endorsed my campaign for the U.S. Senate,” said Sam Clovis.  “His understanding of the Constitution and the freedoms that we enjoy has had a profound influence on what I have stressed in my campaign.  Our personal relationship and our shared values helped me decide to run for the U.S. Senate.”

Sam Clovis is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Senator Tom Harkin.  Harkin announced that he would be retiring at the end of this Congressional session.

“I am proud to endorse my friend Sam Clovis for the United States Senate,” said Santorum.  “I had the pleasure of getting to know Sam during my run for president and was blessed by his support along the campaign trail.  I know what is in his heart, and Sam is a true full-spectrum conservative who believes in the greatness of America, American exceptionalism and the founding principles in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution.”

“I am fond of Iowa and have gotten to know many Iowans through the years,” Santorum said.  He continued by saying that the one thing that all Iowans appreciate and expect from their politicians is the truth.  “And the truth is that Sam Clovis is a man of principle who will advance the cause of conservatism and will be an outstanding U.S Senator.”

Sam Clovis holds a Masters in Business Administration in Management and a Doctorate in Public Administration.  He is currently a tenured full professor at a private liberal arts college in northwest Iowa.  He served in the United States Air Force for 25 years and still provides leadership to defense and homeland security institutions.  He lives in Hinton, IA with his wife Charlotte and stepson Khan.  More information on the candidate and his campaign may be obtained at www.samclovis.com.