MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Lt. Governor Kay Ivey on Monday announced her endorsement of former Florida governor and Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush. Ivey also filed papers with the state Republican Party to qualify Gov. Bush to run in Alabama’s presidential primary.

“Jeb Bush was a strong governor who provided conservative leadership in Florida,” said Ivey. “He has a positive vision for the future of America and is a leader who will restore us to greatness by increasing economic growth through his plans to reduce regulations and reform the tax code. He is the only candidate capable of providing leadership on an international level to handle the many crises the current administration has fumbled. I’m proud to run as a delegate for Jeb Bush and submit his qualifying papers.”

Ivey’s endorsement comes on the heels of other Bush Alabama endorsements from former Gov. Bob Riley, Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL3), longtime State. Sen. Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills) and Alabama state school board representative Mary Scott Hunter.

Ivey was Alabama co-chairman of Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign. Romney placed third in Alabama that year with 29 percent of the vote, just three-tenths of a point behind Newt Gingrich and 5 points behind the state’s winner, Rick Santorum.

Alabama is enjoying an increased role in the presidential nominating process this election cycle, thanks to the so called SEC Primary. The Yellowhammer State will join Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia to hold its presidential primary election on March 1st. This Southern Super Tuesday is the result of a successful effort to maneuver Alabama and other southeastern state into a place of relevance in the nominating process.

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— Cliff Sims (@Cliff_Sims) June 9, 2015