Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee praised McCall’s commitment to defining marriage as between one man and one woman and also highlighted his opposition to abortion.

In a letter to South Carolina Republicans, Huckabee wrote, "The Republican Party has a tough road ahead of them. We need strong leaders that understand the task ahead and are prepared for the challenges we are sure to face. Glenn McCall understands what is needed to help move our party forward and that is why I am supporting his candidacy for National Committeeman."

McCall, chairman of the York County Republicans, is running for one of South Carolina's two seats on the Republican National Committee, a 100-member body that decides party platforms, manages the primary schedule and shapes election strategy.

His chief opponent is Columbia political strategist Drew McKissick. To get elected, McCall must win a majority of votes among 1,400 S.C. Republicans who serve as delegates to the state convention. They will decide May 31 in Columbia.

McCall and his wife, Linda, became close with Huckabee during the Republican primary season. Linda McCall helped to lead Huckabee’s campaign in York County, where he wound up trouncing eventual nominee John McCain and third-place finisher Mitt Romney.

The former Arkansas governor visited a number of times, including a trip to Fort Mill to throw out the first pitch at a Charlotte Knights baseball game and later an appearance at Winthrop on the night before the S.C. primary.

Huckabee is believed to be the first national figure to make an endorsement in the race. McKissick has won the backing of several state party activists, including Cindy Costa, Randy Page and former Rudy Giuliani supporter Barry Wynn. Each state party elects a man and woman to the committee. In South Carolina, Costa holds one slot. The other opened when Columbia orthodontist Buddy Witherspoon launched a bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham. Members cannot run for office while serving on the committee.