(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-01-31 10:28

LOS ANGELES - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will endorse Sen. John McCain for president, the Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday, citing sources close to both men.

Schwarzenegger, a Republican who has largely stayed out of the presidential race until now, made the decision to endorse McCain after former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani dropped out of the race, the Times reported in a story on its Web site.

"He is good friends with both (Giuliani and McCain) and thought they were both strong candidates," a source close to Schwarzenegger told the paper. "With Giuliani dropping out, that cleared the way for the governor's decision."

Schwarzenegger's endorsement of McCain, a senator from neighboring Arizona, was expected on Thursday, less than a week before California's crucial primary on February 5.

The latest polls show McCain leading his chief rival, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, by double digits among likely primary voters, although some 4 in 10 said they could change their minds before Election Day.

California, which has more than 15 million registered voters, will choose 173 Republican delegates on Super Tuesday.