Sharron Angle endorses Santorum as Nevada caucuses near

Sharron Angle, the Tea Party-backed Nevada Republican who challenged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) in 2010, endorsed Rick Santorum's presidential bid Wednesday.

"Rick Santorum and I have known each other for years. He is a strong fiscal and social conservative who stands on principles above politics. He has never wavered in his support for family values understanding the impact that strong families have on a prosperous economy. His continuous opposition to Amnesty, Obamacare, the bail-outs, and cap and trade are a perfect fit with our main street Tea Party movement," Angle said in a statement to National Review.

The former candidate's endorsement could help Santorum in Nevada, a state that votes by caucus. Traditionally, candidates with passionate and vocal supporters have overperformed in caucus states, which bodes well both for Texas Rep. Ron Paul and whichever candidate can corral the state's substantial Tea Party membership.

Santorum has been trying to coalesce conservative support around his candidacy, arguing that Newt Gingrich missed his opportunity to capitalize on being the alternative to front-runner Mitt Romney.

But Romney remains the likely favorite in the state, gaining a head of steam after his win in the pivotal Florida primary. Romney won the state in 2008, and a high Mormon population is expected to benefit his candidacy.

A poll from the Las Vegas Review-Journal released Thursday, two days before the Nevada caucus, shows Romney with the support of 45 percent of likely voters, enough for a commanding 21-point lead over Gingrich. Santorum places third, with 11 percent, while Ron Paul is polling around 9 percent.

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