Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney thanked Pa. Gov. Tom Corbett for his support on Tuesday and Corbett in turn proclaimed the end of the Republican primary process.
“Now that the long primary season has ended, it is time for Republicans to come together and unite around the one candidate who can defeat Barack Obama and institute a bold conservative vision that we need in Washington,” Corbett was quoted as saying in a press release from the Romney campaign.
“There is no doubt that Pennsylvania will be a crucial state in November,” said Romney’s statement accepting Corbett’s support.
Both men appear to be focusing beyond the April 24 Pa. primary. Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul and even Rick Santorum are on the ballot along with Romney.
Republican Pa. Sen. Pat Toomey endorsed Romney shortly after former Pa. senator Rick Santorum suspended his presidential campaign on April 9. Key Republican leaders in Congress, House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell, both endorsed Romney on Tuesday.
Santorum, who said he’s still considering what role he may play in the future with the GOP platform and convention, has not endorsed any of his former rivals.
The Pa. primary is on April 24, the same day as the Delaware Presidential primary and primaries in New York, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
