MINNEAPOLIS — Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty is endorsing Marco Rubio in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

Pawlenty made the endorsement Monday on CNN, calling the Florida senator the most electable conservative with a strong view on how to move the country forward.

The Florida senator is scheduled to appear at a rally in Minneapolis Tuesday afternoon, a week ahead of Minnesota’s presidential preference caucuses. The state is one of 12 to take part in so-called Super Tuesday.

Pawlenty sought the 2012 GOP presidential nomination and dropped out of the race following a third-place finish in the Iowa straw poll.

Rubio and Ted Cruz are battling to emerge as the strongest alternative to Donald Trump, who’s fresh off a victory in South Carolina.