Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) on Thursday backed Rep. Todd Tiahrt over Rep. Jerry Moran in the Kansas GOP Senate primary, giving a high-profile boost to the Congressman who currently trails in public polling.

“Todd is a protector of our Constitution, a pro-family, pro-Second Amendment Commonsense Conservative who has never voted for a tax increase and has fought to end the wasteful spending coming out of Washington,” Palin wrote in her endorsement on her Facebook page. “He didn’t just stand on the sidelines complacently, but instead actually battled against the bailouts, the debt-ridden stimulus spending, the cap-and-tax energy schemes, and Obamacare.” 

Tiahrt and Moran are battling in an Aug. 3 primary to become the next Senator from the Sunflower State. Whoever wins the primary is all but assured to win in November given that Democrats are not contesting the race to succeed Sen. Sam Brownback (R), who is running for governor.

The contest between Moran and Tiahrt is growing increasingly contentious and is likely to get more nasty as the primary draws closer. Polling shows Moran with a sizable lead in the race as both Congressmen seek to show they are the most conservative candidate running.

“Todd’s campaign for the U.S. Senate continues to build momentum, and we are thrilled that Governor Sarah Palin has endorsed the true conservative in this race,” Michelle Schroeder, a spokeswoman for Tiahrt, said in a statement.

Among those who have endorsed Moran are Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and John Thune (R-S.D.).

Tiahrt is backed by Reps. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) and Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and former Attorney General John Ashcroft (R), among others.