(AP) - More than 300 pastors and other religious leaders in South Carolina have endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz for president.

Cruz announced the endorsements on Thursday in Greenville, South Carolina, two days before the state's primary.

Cruz's win in the Iowa caucuses was fueled by a similar coalition of evangelical support, and he is counting on their backing to do well in South Carolina.

Cruz says in a statement announcing the endorsements he believes they send a "strong signal" that conservatives are uniting behind his campaign. Cruz says he has support from religious leaders in every South Carolina county.

On Wednesday, Cruz rival Marco Rubio won the endorsement of the state's governor, Nikki Haley. The Florida senator is campaigning across the state with Haley on Thursday.