HARRISBURG — Former Pennsylvania governor and national homeland security chief Tom Ridge endorsed state Attorney General Tom Corbett for the Republican nomination for governor.

Ridge announced the endorsement Thursday in a statement issued through Corbett's campaign.

Ridge said Corbett's career as a local, state and federal prosecutor and his commitment to cutting governmental red tape to spur new jobs make him the best choice as Pennsylvania's next governor.

Corbett's only apparent rival in the May primary was quick to respond.

U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach claimed he has a record in Congress and the state Legislature of cutting spending, cutting taxes and creating jobs.