Wilson will serve as a co-chairman to the former Minnesota governor’s campaign in South Carolina.

“Congressman Wilson has been a strong conservative voice for the people of South Carolina over the past decade,” Pawlenty said in a statement. “I am honored to receive his support in this campaign to restore America.”

Wilson called Pawlenty “the best man to get our nation back on the right track,” who has “a remarkable record of conservative accomplishments in a politically tough state for Republicans, and someone who has the kind of bold vision for America’s future that we need to defeat Barack Obama.”