Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Wednesday picked up the endorsement of South Carolina Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster, his highest profile elected official to date.
McMaster introduced Trump ahead of his rally Wednesday night in South Carolina, lauding his achievements in business, his plain-spoken demeanor and his refusal to be controlled by donors.
{mosads}”South Carolina is going to have the most decisive presidential primary election this cycle,” McMaster said.
“We want everybody to get out and vote and when you do, do what I do … vote for Donald Trump for president.”
He went on to praise the billionaire businessman’s enthusiasm, which he called a breath of fresh air for politics.
“It’s not the dog in the fight that’s important, it’s the fight in the dog that’s important, and this dog has a lot of fight,” McMaster added.
The appearance comes just one night before Thursday’s GOP presidential debate, which Trump has said he’ll boycott after a feud with Fox News.
McMaster is a former state party chairman and serves under Gov. Nikki Haley, who many view as being on the GOP’s vice presidential short list.