COLUMBIA - At least four of the six Republicans representing South Carolina in the U.S. Senate and House said Monday they are endorsing GOP Gov. Mark Sanford's re-election bid.

Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint were at a news conference with Reps. Joe Wilson and Gresham Barrett where they announced their support for Sanford in the June primary and November election.

While their support for Sanford has been known for a while, Monday's news conference was the first official endorsement, Sanford campaign manager Jason Miller said.

Reps. Bob Inglis and Henry Brown weren't at the event.

Miller said both support the governor. "They're on board. They just are not able to join us today," he said Monday. They are "supportive of what the governor and the other congressional leaders are trying to do," Miller said.

Brown's spokeswoman in Charleston said the congressman has not endorsed Sanford and has a policy against backing a candidate until after the primary.

Inglis' office said he had a scheduling conflict Monday. It was not known whether he has endorsed Sanford.

Graham, who served in the House with Sanford beginning in 1995, spoke strongly in favor of the governor. "Mark has brought leadership where there has not really been a whole lot leadership" on spending and education, the senator said.

"I think Governor Sanford has it exactly right," DeMint said.

"When you try to change things, you step on some toes," he said. "I admire this governor. ... I appreciate him being willing to take on a lot of criticism because this is exactly what our state needs at this time."

Sanford's ideas are helping to shape the state and debate on issues, Graham said. "Mark deserves to be re-elected because without putting new ideas on the table, South Carolina cannot reach its goal of excellence that we are all pursuing here," he said.

Sanford also picked up an endorsement from state House Speaker Bobby Harrell. The Charleston Republican helped Sanford get elected in 2002. Harrell wasn't at the news conference, but Graham read a letter from him.

Harrell said Sanford demonstrated the "true art of leadership" with the "ability to say no when it is necessary."

Sanford has said no at least 277 times through budget vetoes, the hallmark of problems he's had with the legislature since taking office three years ago.

But in this election year for Sanford and House members, unity and mutual goals are on display as the legislative session gets under way.

The governor's State of the State address last week was a sign of that, said House Judiciary Chairman Jim Harrison, R-Columbia, as he endorsed Sanford.

"If you compared Governor Sanford's agenda with that of the House Republican Caucus," he said, "you can only reach one conclusion: We are united in what we believe we need to do to improve the quality of life in South Carolina."