Huckabee endorses Tommy Thompson for Senate

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) endorsed former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson's (R) Senate bid.

"Tommy has the necessary experience to make an immediate and positive difference in Washington," Huckabee said in a statement on his political action committee's website. "Tommy served the great state of Wisconsin as the 42nd Governor, serving four terms for 14 years, and was forced to work with a Democrat-controlled state legislature; because of that Tommy knows how to work in a bipartisan nature and will be a positive voice for real change in Washington."

Thompson's campaign announced that the two — both of whom ran for the 2008 presidential nomination — will appear in Milwaukee on Dec. 15.

Wisconsin's GOP primary is shaping up to be a tough one: Thompson has been slammed by conservative groups including the Club for Growth, which is backing former Rep. Mark Neumann (R-Wis.) in the race, for raising taxes as governor and backing early models for health insurance reform that are in many ways similar to President Obama's health insurance overhaul law. Wisconsin Assembly speaker Jeff Fitzgerald is also in the race, and has close ties to Gov. Scott Walker (R).

Huckabee's endorsement could help Thompson — he is popular with many conservatives, and his Fox News show gives him a platform to trumpet Thompson's record.

—This post was updated at 4:24 p.m. to include Huckabee's statement.