‘New Kid on the Block’ Donnie Wahlberg Endorses Marco Rubio

Actor and former musician Donnie Wahlberg has officially endorsed Marco Rubio for president ahead of the Nevada caucus on Tuesday.

In a statement released by the Rubio campaign, the Blue Bloods star and founding member of boy band New Kids on the Block called the Florida senator a “man of principle” and said a Rubio presidency would “unite our nation.”

Wahlberg is expected to join Sen. Dean Heller, Nevada Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison and Rep. Jason Chaffetz at a rally for Rubio on Sunday night in Las Vegas.

“Even though we do not see eye to eye on every issue, I know that Marco is a man of principle who can be trusted to keep us safe and give each and every one of us a shot at the American Dream,” Wahlberg said in a statement. “Marco is a humble man who has not forgotten his roots, and he will fight to make sure that where you come from does not determine how far you can go. We need a leader like Marco to inspire a new Republican party and unite our nation, and I am proud to support him for President.”

Glad to have @DonnieWahlberg's support in this campaign! Welcome to the team! https://t.co/0JlelRiPMp

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 21, 2016

Wahlberg’s endorsement comes as Rubio hopes for a strong showing in Nevada on Tuesday following his second-place finish in Saturday’s South Carolina primary. Nevada poll averages show Republican frontrunner Donald Trump with a commanding 20-point lead in the state ahead of Tuesday’s contest.

On Thursday, Wahlberg joined his brothers Mark and Paul at the grand opening of a 6,000-square-foot Wahlburgers restaurant in Rubio’s home state of Florida. The Orlando outpost of the famous brothers’ fast-casual burger joint chain joins locations in the Northeast and Toronto. A location on the Las Vegas strip is expected to open soon.

While most Hollywood support has gone to Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, and to a lesser extent Donald Trump, a few celebrities have backed Rubio’s campaign, including billionaire Oracle founder Larry Ellison and Pawn Stars star Rick Harrison.