Santorum splits with Palin on his pick in Arizona Senate primary

12 hours ago CNN's Ashley Killough (CNN) – Rick Santorum on Friday threw his voice behind Senate hopeful Wil Cardon in Arizona, who's running in heated primary to replace retiring Republican Sen. Jon Kyl, the Senate minority whip.

"Wil is exactly what Washington, DC needs – an outsider beholden to no one other than the Arizona residents he hopes to represent," Santorum said. "We look forward to helping him become not only the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate, but Arizona's next U.S. Senator."

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The 2012 GOP contender made his endorsement in a statement released by his advocacy group Patriot Voices, which raises awareness for conservative causes and candidates.

Santorum's support puts him on the other side of fellow conservative Sarah Palin, who endorsed Cardon's main opponent and the frontrunner in the race, Rep. Jeff Flake.

A political newcomer, Cardon has not previously held public office and runs his family's real estate investment firm, the Cardon Group. He's taken in a considerable amount of money this cycle, about $8.2 million, but about 90% of his campaign war chest comes from his own pocket, according to reports with the Federal Election Commission.

Flake, a six-term congressman, has raised $4.9 million, without lending any money to his campaign. He also has the support of both Kyl and Arizona's senior senator, John McCain. Flake, known as a maverick, was a major backer of McCain early on in the senator's 2008 presidential bid.

Cardon and Flake will face off in the state's primary on Aug. 28. The winner of which will challenge Democratic candidate Richard Carmona, who faces an uphill battle in a Senate race rated as "likely Republican" or "leaning Republican" by political handicappers Charlie Cook and Stuart Rothenberg.

Santorum and Palin, former Alaska governor and McCain's 2008 running mate, have used their star power in several GOP Senate primaries this cycle–but they haven't always agreed on their choices.

While both successfully supported Ted Cruz in the Texas runoff last month against Lt. Gov David Dewhurst, as well as Richard Mourdock in his challenge against veteran incumbent Sen. Dick Lugar in Indiana, the two conservatives found themselves backing opposing candidates in Utah and Nebraska.

Santorum, former two-term Pennsylvania senator, endorsed former state Sen. Dan Liljenquist, the underdog who ultimately lost in his challenge against longtime Sen. Orrin Hatch in Utah. Palin, breaking from her pattern, supported the incumbent senator, saying Hatch was part of the "one percent of national politicians" who she thought deserved re-election.

Santorum also unsuccessfully backed state Attorney General John Bruning, seen as the establishment candidate, in the Nebraska GOP primary. Meanwhile, Palin supported state Sen. Deb Fischer, who pulled a surprising upset on election night in May for the nomination.

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