HARRISBURG — State Rep. Brian Ellis, R-11th, of Butler is one of a dozen state legislators who have endorsed former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum in his presidential campaign.

Santorum was joined at a Harrisburg news conference by Ellis, who is the House GOP caucus administrator, Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman and House Majority Leader Dave Reed. They listed nine other Republican leaders who back Santorum, including House Speaker Mike Turzai.

Like Ellis, Santorum has Butler roots. He was born in Virginia, but spent much of his childhood in the county. He attended Butler Catholic School and Butler High School.

The legislators say Santorum’s conservative message resonates with Pennsylvanians and that they’re optimistic that he can win the nomination in a crowded field of more than a dozen Republican candidates.

Asked whether the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage would hinder his campaign, Santorum says voters are looking for a leader, not someone who agrees with them on every issue.