COLUMBIA - Gov. Mark Sanford has endorsed Karen Floyd to be the next superintendent of education.

Floyd is running as a Republican and, so far, faces one announced opponent, Charleston real estate agent Elizabeth Moffly, in the June Republican Party primary. No Democrats have announced a bid.

In a statement announcing the endorsement Friday, Sanford said Floyd's experience as a mother, public servant and business woman makes her the right candidate to move the Education Department forward.

"Education is key to success in an increasingly global economy, and despite the best efforts of a lot of hardworking parents, teachers and students, we have a long way to go in terms of being able to compete with the rest of the world," Sanford said.

Floyd, whose twin boys attend a public school in Spartanburg County, said she supported school choice when she announced her candidacy in April.

But at that time she did not say whether she supported legislation backed by Sanford that would give tax credits to parents whose children attend private schools or are home schooled.

Floyd called Sanford a great leader for South Carolina and said she looks forward to working with him to improve education in the state, according to a news release from her campaign.

The endorsement comes five months before candidates will file for the race in March and more than a year before the general election. The job is open after Democratic state Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum is not seeking another term.

Floyd founded The Palladian Group, a marketing and public relations firm in 2000 and is a former staff attorney for the state Senate and a former Spartanburg County chief magistrate.

Floyd also has received endorsements from a number of other Republicans, including U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint, according to the campaign.