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"I like Marco Rubio," Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant said, I just had to make the decision on who I think has the best chance to win in November and who I liked best as a candidate." | AP Photo Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant endorses Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz has snagged a big endorsement the day before the Mississippi primary: Gov. Phil Bryant.

“It’s time for Republicans to join together and unite the party for the good of our state and our nation,” Bryant said in a statement. “I urge my fellow Mississippians to join me in standing behind Ted Cruz tomorrow.”

"I'm not going to get out and make a big show about it, but Sen. Cruz was in town today, and I met with him and gave him my endorsement," Bryant said, according to The Clarion-Ledger. "It was a hard choice -- I know so many of them, Chris Christie, I know Jeb Bush, I know the ones still running now. They are good people ... But I am also looking toward November and I think if Ted Cruz is nominated, he has a good opportunity to defeat the Democratic nominee."

Bryant also commented on Rubio’s campaign, which has been struggling to gain traction after a string of disappointing primary and caucus performances. The Florida senator has won Minnesota and Puerto Rico, and he trails Cruz and Donald Trump in the delegate count.

"I like Marco Rubio," Bryant said. "I think he's true at heart. I just had to make the decision on who I think has the best chance to win in November and who I liked best as a candidate and as a person. Ted Cruz has gone to Washington and showed courage and grit to stand up to things he disagrees with."

“I am honored to have the support of Governor Bryant, who is committed to uniting conservatives across his state and the nation behind my campaign," Cruz said in the same statement provided to POLITICO. "The people of Mississippi are fed up with the dysfunction in Washington and know this is the time for courageous conservatives to unite.”

Trump is widely expected to win Mississippi, which awards its 40 Republican delegates on a proportional basis.