Rick Santorum, fresh off a big win in Kansas, can now also boast about another big-name endorsement in Texas.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs endorsed the former Pennsylvania senator Saturday, The Texas Tribune reported. As “the only real conservative left in the race,” she said, Santorum would be strong enough to change the federal government.

Combs is expected to run for lieutenant governor in 2014, but she insists this had no affect on her decision. “This is about 2012,” she said. “We’re in a serious presidential race. It’s a fight I want to be engaged in.”

Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, who may also run in 2014, believes Combs’ decision to back Santorum has other motivation, the Texas Tribune reported. After spending most of her career as a pro-choice Republican, Combs’ announced last year that she is pro-life. Patterson said he believes her endorsement is part of an effort to gain conservative support.

Despite the fact that Governor Rick Perry has endorsed and campaigned with Newt Gingrich, Combs said she believes Santorum is the right choice for America, The Texas Tribune reported. “Respectfully, I have my own view. I’m more impressed by Senator Santorum,” she said.

Republican Senate candidate Craig James also has endorsed Santorum and hopes that his Santorum ties help him vault into a runoff.

Both the Senate and Texas presidential primaries are scheduled for May 29. Santorum was the runaway leader in the last round of statewide polls.