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Gov. Mike Huckabee speaking at a Republican rally in November 2008, on the eve of the Presidential Election. (PoliticMo Photo/Eli Yokley)

Updated Thursday morning —

(SPRINGFIELD, M0.) Former Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee announced endorsements of three Missourians late Monday.

Huckabee, the former Arkansas Governor, born in the Southern part of the state, announced his support of 7th district Congressman Roy Blunt for U.S. Senate, and 7th district congressional candidate Billy Long, a Springfield businessman, and incumbent Sam Graves (Mo. 5th) for U.S. Hosue.

Huckabee took 32% of the votes in the Repbulican Presidential primary in February of 2008. However, he lost to Sen. John McCain statewide.

On Blunt, Huckabee said, “While many in DC have forgotten, or worse, disregarded the desires of their constituents, Roy has held firmly to his conservative values and those of Missourians – working tirelessly as an active legislator to get things done for his constituents.” Huckabee continued,”Roy isn’t just one of the good ones . . .he’s one of the great ones.”

He said Blunt see’s the U.S. Senate race as a “battle against the far left and their liberal agenda.” Huckabee says Blunt is one who would work with both sies of the isle, “using his ability to find common ground without compromising his values.”

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President Barack Obama campaigning with Secretary of State Robin Carnahan. (PoliticMO Photo/ Blake James)

One of those Huckabee has called a “liberal” came to Missouri earlier this month to support Blunt’s opponent - Robin Carnahan. President Obama, who lost the state by less than 4,000 votes in 2008, participated in two fundraisers with Secretary Carnahan, raising over half a million dollars for her campaign.

Chuck Purgason, Blunt’s primary opponent, was endorsed last week by “Joe the Plumber,” who continued Carnahan’s attack line at Blunt, saying Missourians have the choice to “send Washington insider Roy Blunt, or a man with character like Chuck Purgason.”

The only other endorsement Huckabee gave in Missouri was to 7th district republican Billy Long, an auctioneer an talk show host.

Huckabee won all of southwest Missouri, pulling over 40% of the vote in every 7th district county.

“Billy is a small business owner, not a politician. He will bring a fresh, commonsense perspective to Congress,” said Huckabee. “As a small business owner he understands what it means to meet a payroll and we need more people in Washington who have actually signed the front of a paycheck, not just the back of one.”

Huckabee also said Long was the most pro life, continuing the pro-life push the Long campaign wanted after the Missouri Right to Life endorsement. Huckabee called long a”warrior for the pro-life cause.”

Long is running against 8 for his party’s nomination. Two democrats are also seeking what is currently Roy Blunt’s seat.

Also in Missouri, Huckabee endorsed Sam Graves in the 5th district. While the endorsement doesn’t reflect a heated primary, it does reflect, like Long, what appears to be insider connections. Long and Graves have used Jeff Roe, a Kansas City republican strategist, in their campaigning. Roe worked for Huckabee in 2008.