Update: An earlier version of this story said the governor had endorsed the candidate, but Bentley insists his vote for the candidate is not an endorsement.
(CNN) - Gov. Robert Bentley of Alabama cast his vote for Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum on Tuesday in the state's primary.
Bentley's choice was announced on the nationally syndicated radio program, "The Rick and Bubba Show," by Alabama Congressman Robert Aderholt.
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"He and his wife will be voting for Rick Santorum for president. I was very excited to hear our governor felt his values were in line with Rick Santorum," Aderholt said.
On Twitter, Santorum boasted the vote, saying he was "honored" to have the governor's support and posted a photo of the two of them with Santorum's wife, Karen.
The nod marks a big get for the former Pennsylvania senator, who falls slightly behind rivals Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich in the state, according to recent polls.
Like Santorum, the first-term governor is well known for his Christian faith. Bentley sparked controversy in January 2011 when he told a church audience he only considered Christians to be his "brothers and sisters."
"Now I will have to say that, if we don't have the same daddy, we're not brothers and sisters," he told parishioners at a Baptist church in Montgomery shortly after being sworn in. "So anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I'm telling you, you're not my brother and you're not my sister, and I want to be your brother."
Following an uproar over the comments, the newly-minted governor apologized.
Bentley will appear Tuesday on CNN's "John King, USA" at 6 p.m. ET.
From CNN Politics
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This election seems to be more like religion than whats best for the country.
Endorsements in these republican primaries don't mean diddly.
A crazy so-called "Christian" endorsed another crazy fellow. Religion shouldn't exclude people who have different beliefs and principles. I thought Christians are generous and supposed to be forgiving? I am so confused about what faith really means.
Sounds like another evangelical fanatic supporting his brother. I hope the rest of Alabamans leave religion out of politics and vote for the man who has the intelligence to turn the economy around and not try and force his religious beliefs on the rest of the country... that would be Mitt Romney.
well we now know alabamas values surprise surprise.
Using Christ as a political pawn by both men.
A vote for Rick is a vote for Obama. Do the right thing and drop out Rick, you are only hurting our chance to get rid of Obama.
one fanatic endorsing another.....no surprise here people
Hoping Santorum wins!!! Southern Baptists loathe the LDS. They won't vote for a Mormon!
Governor is voting for Santorum but not endorsing him???? What nonsense. Governor do you understand the concept of voting?????
Donald Trump endorsed Mannequin Mitt! Now that's all you need to know about GOP endorsement...worthless like toilet paper!!!
What does the Governor mean when he has – I vote for a guy but I am not endorsing him? So he is voting for a guy who he does not think is the best. Why vote when you do not have the courage to stand behind your own vote?
Faith in this world today means being judgemental toward others being hypocritical at all costs,deny people their basic human rights cheat on your wife or wives,molest children and be a false profit. Oh wait that's the gop candidates in a nutshell
Attack on religion?
Bill mayer doesn't attack religion. This is quite clear that he only intends to reveal to the general public, who is unaware that this kind of activity still takes place in 2012. This is an attack on 'indoctrination'. Indictrination should be outlawed in America.
This is the same kind of indoctrination we are fighting against in the Arab world. They are called 'Islamist extremists' and Santorum obviously is a 'Christian extremist'
As Americans we should fight against any form of religious extremists as they are DANGEROUS in any society. What can be in Santorum's mind as he takes this approach to 'so-called' education. Can we even imagine how extreme America would become with Santorum at the help?
He is REALLY, REALLY, SCARY! As scary as colonization and slavery. Everyone should join Bill Mayer in attacking this kind of 'indoctrination'
Looks like Willard didn't convince too many people in the Deep South of just how so very, very much he loves those grits. BTW Ann Romney might start a " 50 Different Ways to Cook Grits Cookbook" which would come in as handy reference and help Willard for wherever he stumps in the coming months. Write Willard tht book, Ann, and show how you can stand by your man!
yes, the photo of two 'crazy brothers' and virgin Karen. These people are a shame for the Christian values. Faith is not something to display on parades.
"hope the rest of Alabamans leave religion out of politics and vote for the man who has the intelligence to turn the economy around and not try and force his religious beliefs on the rest of the country... that would be Mitt Romney."
Rmoney has demonstrated no "intelligence" whatsoever in proposing a tax plan that gives even more tax breaks to his greedy predator friends in lurking in the 1% while increasing the deficit at the same time. Try again.