Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R) has endorsed businessman Dan Meuser in the contested Republican primary for Rep. Christopher Carney’s (D) seat.

“We need leaders who will stand tall in the war against radical Islamists, stand up for the rights of the unborn, fight to make tax relief a priority for our nation, cut wasteful spending, and protect our borders,” Santorum wrote in a letter to GOP activists. “The people of the 10th District will have the opportunity to elect such a leader, and that is why I am proud to endorse Dan Meuser for Congress.”

Meuser owns and operates Pride Mobility Products, a motorized wheelchair company that employs more than 1,000 people in northeast Pennsylvania.

“Sen. Santorum is a national leader when it comes to conservative policies,” Meuser said. “I am excited to have his leadership, vision and passion on my team.”

Fellow businessman Chris Hackett (R) also is running for the Republican nod. Hackett, who owns a staffing company, already has put $100,000 of his own money into his race, while Meuser also is prepared to personally fund his campaign.

Carney won his seat in the previous cycle with 53 percent of the vote in the Republican-leaning district that voted 60 percent for President Bush in 2004. Carney defeated disgraced then-Rep. Don Sherwood (R) to win his seat after the four-term Republican was accused of attempting to choke his mistress.

— Shira Toeplitz