MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has voted for Rick Santorum for the Republican nomination for president.

Bentley spokesman Jeremy King said the governor traveled to his hometown of Tuscaloosa Tuesday morning to cast his ballot. King said the governor considers Santorum “the most conservative candidate in the Republican presidential primary.”

Bentley’s office confirmed his vote after one of Santorum’s supporters, U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, announced that Bentley was voting for the former Pennsylvania senator.

King said the governor chose not to make a public endorsement for Santorum because he believes a vote should be based on a person’s values and principles and not on someone else’s opinion.