Iowa Rep. Kim Pearson (R, Pleasant Hill) endorsed Ron Paul today as her choice for the GOP presidential nomination.

Pearson, a freshman lawmaker who was elected in 2010, considers herself a part of the tea party movement.

“Ron Paul’s principled and courageous positions in defense of the Constitution are an inspiration,” she said in a statement. “His understanding of the problems America faces and his limited-government solutions make him the statesman we need to lead America out of our moral and financial crisis.”

Jesse Benton, Ron Paul's '08 political director (and in-law), and Rand Paul's campaign manager,emails POLITICO of Paul's strength in a PPP Texas Senate poll:

It is very flattering to see Dr. Paul's popularity so strong with Texas Republicans. This poll demonstrates the desire of Texans to return to our great American traditions of limited government, personal liberty and sound monetary policy.

This could be one great primary.