Santorum up 14 in Pa; Ridge for Romney

It's a good day for Rick Santorum.

Following up on his wins last night in Alabama and Mississippi, the latest Quinnipiac University poll in Pennsylvania shows former senator Rick Santorum with a 14-point lead over Mitt Romney six weeks before the state's April 24 primary. The survey follows similar findings from Public Policy Polling showing him with an 18-point cushion. He's also head-to-head with Barack Obama in the state.

The Romney camp is hitting back with the announcement that former Gov. Tom Ridge is supporting his presidential bid, after previously endorsing Jon Huntsman.

From the Q poll (here in full)

Pennsylvania Republicans are going for favorite son Rick Santorum big time, giving the former U.S. Senator a 36 - 22 percent lead over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the Keystone State's presidential primary, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Texas U.S. Rep. Ron Paul has 12 percent, with 8 percent for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

In a head-to-head matchup, Santorum tops Romney 52 - 32 percent among Republican voters, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.

If Santorum gets to November, he gets 44 percent of Pennsylvania voters, to 45 percent for President Barack Obama - too close to call.

The Santorum and Romney campaigns are already gearing up to fight over the state's 72 delegates, with Romney announcing a raft of establishment supporters statewide and Santorum signing up Tom Corbett's longtime political advisor to head his campaign.

Here's the Romney camp's statement on Ridge:

"It is an honor to have Governor Ridge's support," said Mitt Romney. "There are few leaders who have such a distinguished record of service to our country. As a combat soldier in Vietnam, he fought with bravery and distinction. As a Congressman and Governor, he was a tireless servant for Pennsylvania. And as Secretary of Homeland Security, he kept our country safe from those who wished to harm us. I am humbled to have his endorsement and welcome Governor Ridge's counsel."

Announcing his support, Governor Ridge said, "Having spent most my life in public service, as a soldier, as a Congressman, as a Governor of Pennsylvania, as a White House official, and as a Secretary of Homeland Security, I've met accomplished and strong leaders in my life. Mitt Romney is one of them. He would bring to the presidency an extraordinary set of skills.