Gingrich earns support of SC lieutenant governor

{mosads}Ard’s support is a high-profile get for Gingrich, who is hoping to regain momentum and rally conservatives around his campaign. But it is not clear how much influence his support will actually have on the race — recent polls show that the endorsement of Nikki Haley, the state’s Tea Party-backed governor, has done little to further help Mitt Romney, who is leading Gingrich by double digits.

And while Ard remains popular in the state, allegations of campaign finance violations — and a subsequent grand jury investigation — have recently emerged.

Unlike in some states, South Carolina’s lieutenant governor and governor run independently of one another.