Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) today backed the Republican primary challenger to Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch.

Santorum, a presidential candidate until two months ago, announced his endorsement of former state Sen. Dan Liljenquist in an email to members of his new organization, Patriot Voices.

“Dan Liljenquist is the stronger conservative in this race,” Santorum wrote. “I’ve known Orrin Hatch for years and believe he is a very good man, but in a deeply conservative state like Utah, we must elect authentic conservatives. I believe Dan Liljenquist is that candidate.”

Hatch has the support of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and is favored to win the June 26 primary. Romney has filmed television ads for Hatch and has appeared with him on the stump in Utah.