By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) – Governor Corbett praised former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum for his perseverance in the battle for the Republican presidential nomination.

Governor Corbett, during an appearance outside Pittsburgh Tuesday afternoon, said he was just hearing of Rick Santorum’s decision to suspend his campaign, so the governor’s reaction was limited.

But he did relate to reporters how he became aware of the former Pennsylvania Senator’s tenacity while he, Corbett, ran the Pittsburgh presidential campaign for George H.W. Bush in 1988. Corbett recalled how Santorum defied skeptics when he ran for Congress and won.

“Then he said he was going to run for Senate. We all kind of went, ‘yeah, OK.’ And he won. So you should not underestimate Rick Santorum. And I think that’s what he demonstrated. His perseverance is amazing.”

And the governor says Santorum has a distinct following among the more conservative elements of the GOP. Corbett, meanwhile, says he’s remained neutral in the race for the Republican presidential nomination but says with Santorum out, that might change.