Updated: 5:30 p.m |  Pennsylvania Sen. Patrick J. Toomey endorsed Sen. Marco Rubio for president Wednesday during an interview on CNN.  

“We face a huge national security crisis, obviously, emanating from the Middle East. There is tension all across the world,” he said. “Marco has demonstrated clear understanding. He’s done the hard work, he’s knowledgeable, thoughtful and a smart guy.”  

https://twitter.com/TheLeadCNN/status/695001548498288641  

Rubio’s supporters in the Senate have been attempting to move more members to support him since he pulled off a third-place finish in the Iowa Caucuses on Monday, behind Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz.  

Toomey’s endorsement gives Rubio six in the Senate. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., endorsed Rubio on Tuesday.  

Katie McGinty, who is running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Toomey in November, put out a statement upon the news of the endorsement.  

“Sen. Toomey has stood on the frontlines with Rubio to shut down the government and oppose paycheck fairness,” the statement said. “There is no question that the Rubio/Toomey agenda will hurt Pennsylvania middle class families.”  

The Pennsylvania Senate race is rated Tilts Republican  by the Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report /Roll Call.  

Alex Roarty, Niels Lesniewski and Bridget Bowman contributed to this report.
Contact Garcia at EricGarcia@cqrollcall.com and follow him on Twitter @EricMGarcia.
Related:
Roll Call Race Ratings Map: Ratings for Every House and Senate Race in 2016


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