George Pataki Endorses Marco Rubio for President

— -- Former New York Gov. George Pataki is throwing his support behind Florida Sen. Marco Rubio in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

"I am proud to endorse Marco Rubio," Pataki said today in an interview with Fox News, adding that he believes Rubio is the right person to unite the Republican Party.

"Donald Trump is dividing us," Pataki said. "Marco Rubio is going to bring us together."

Pataki's support comes on the heels of the Des Moines Register announcing its endorsement of the Florida senator. Pataki dropped his long-shot 2016 presidential bid last month after low support in polls and lackluster fundraising.

"He's provided great leadership. He did it in the state legislature in Florida," Pataki said about Rubio. "He's done it in the U.S. Senate, particularly when it comes to rebuilding our military, standing up to radical Islam."

Still, Ted Cruz earned the endorsement of Rick Perry and conservative leader Glenn Beck. Front-runner Donald Trump unveiled an endorsement by former vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin last week.

"I don't just intend to endorse him. I'm going to do everything I can to help Sen. Rubio win this election," Pataki said.

Trump leads national polling by double-digits and Rubio remains a distant third to the real estate mogul and Sen. Ted Cruz in Iowa, the nation’s first presidential nominating contest.