A group of prominent Minnesota Republicans including Senate Minority Leader David Hann and other state lawmakers have endorsed former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina as she seeks the Republican presidential nomination.

Hann, of Eden Prairie, has signed on as co-chairman of a Fiorina leadership team in Minnesota. The other co-chair is Molly Corrigan Cronin, a former corporate analyst who is on the board of the right-leaning Center for the American Experiment. Mike McFadden, the unsuccessful Republican candidate for U.S. Senate last year, is vice chairman.

A handful of GOP lawmakers also endorsed Fiorina: state senators Paul Gazelka of Nisswa, Carrie Ruud of Breezy Point and Mary Kiffmeyer of Big Lake; and state Rep. Jim Nash of Waconia. Joining them in support are several local elected officials, along with a handful of Republican operatives, academics and former candidates.

"The aspect of Carly Fiorina that causes me to admire her most is her ability to easily communicate complex policy ideas," Hann said. Cronin praised her for a "fresh, outsider perspective."

The group is not formally affiliated with Fiorina's campaign. Its formation was announced by Carly for America, a Super PAC that's backing Fiorina.

Fiorina has risen in national polls recently, particularly after a widely praised performance at the most recent GOP presidential debate.