S.C. Sen. Larry Grooms (R-Bonneau), an early supporter of Rick Perry's presidential campaign, called on the Texas governor to get out of the S.C. GOP Primary to avoid splitting conservative votes.

Patch has learned that Grooms is expected to endorse former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Penn.) on Tuesday at an event on the USS Yorktown in Mt. Pleasant.

In a statement, Grooms said that he "had tremendously high hopes" for Perry, but mistakes have hurt the campaign beyond repair. 

"Now is the time to get out and pass the baton to another leader that can take the message to the next level," Grooms said.

The Berkeley County senator noted that "when conservatives split, big government wins."

In various recent polls, Perry is at a distant fifth or sixth place with between five and seven percent. The state's race could be very close for the other candidates still in the race.  

"Remaining in the race at this point only serves to steer votes away from viable candidates," Grooms said.

Earlier Monday, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman got out of the race and encouraged his supporters to vote for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.