AMES, Iowa -- Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump received an endorsement Tuesday from the GOP's former vice presidential nominee: Sarah Palin.
"Media heads are spinning," Palin said after taking the stage with Trump at a rally at Iowa State University. "This is going to be so much fun."
The former Alaska governor and running mate of U.S. Sen. John McCain in 2008 is endorsing the billionaire businessman, according to a statement released by Trump's campaign.
She said that, with Trump as president, America would no longer apologize.
"No more pussyfooting around," Palin said. "He's going rogue left and right. That's why he's doing so well."
Earlier in the afternoon, Trump said in a statement that he was "greatly honored to receive Sarah's endorsement. ... She is a friend, and a high quality person whom I have great respect for. I am proud to have her support."
Palin also will be joining Trump at two events today, including a rally in Tulsa.
"We're going to give 'em hell," he said after Palin's speech in Ames.
The endorsement comes less than two weeks ahead of the critical lead-off Iowa caucus, where Trump is locked in a dead heat with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.
In the statement announcing the endorsement, Trump's campaign described Palin as a conservative who "helped launch the careers of several key future leaders of the Republican Party and conservative movement." The statement also quoted Cruz as once saying he "would not be in the United States Senate were it not for Gov. Sarah Palin. ... She can pick winners."
Campaigning Tuesday in New Hampshire, Cruz responded to Palin's endorsement of Trump, saying "regardless of what Sarah intends to do in 2016, I will remain a big, big fan of Sarah Palin."
Trump's national political director Michael Glassner previously worked with Palin, who was a newcomer to the national political arena when McCain named her as his running mate. She has since risen to prominence as one of the most outspoken conservatives in the party.
She signed on as a Fox News commentator after resigning as Alaska's governor in 2010, a job she held until last year.
While Trump said he doesn't typically put much stock in endorsements, he said, "I think it could very well result in votes."
For her part, Palin has had some success in her support for political candidates. About 52 percent of candidates she publicly endorsed won their races in 2010, while 56 percent did in 2012, according to The Washington Post.
Using media coverage, her Facebook page, the website for her political action committee and its online archives, Bloomberg News also reviewed her 2014 endorsements and found her endorsees succeeded in winning office less than half the time.
Some rally-goers at Trump's event Tuesday evening said they weren't sure whether Palin's support would help Trump win over voters. Several referenced what they saw as her poor performance as a vice presidential candidate.
"I don't think it's going to be a detriment, but I don't think it's going to be a huge asset," said Stephen Freese, 56, of Burlington, Iowa, who works in construction.
"I don't think she's really credible anymore," said Bruce Dodge, 66, a retiree who lives in Ankeny, Iowa.
Earlier Tuesday, Trump received another endorsement, from the daughter of Western film star John Wayne.
Standing in front of a life-size, rifle-toting model of the actor in full cowboy gear, Trump accepted the endorsement of Aissa Wayne at the John Wayne Birthplace Museum in Winterset, Iowa. Aissa Wayne said the country needs a strong and courageous leader like her father, noting that John Wayne would be offering his endorsement if he were alive.
Information for this article was contributed by Scott Bauer of The Associated Press and by Ben Brody of Bloomberg News.
A Section on 01/20/2016