Mitt Romney, Pete Wilson, Darrell Issa back Neel Kashkari for governor

Gubernatorial candidate Neel Kashkari announced Monday that he has been endorsed by three prominent Republicans: 2012 presidential nominee Mitt Romney, former California Gov. Pete Wilson and Rep. Darrell Issa.

Romney said he was backing Kashkari because the former U.S. Treasury official understands how to create jobs and fix schools.

“Democrats’ big-government policies have hurt the middle class and reduced opportunity for Americans across the country, and that’s the reason it’s so important to elect leaders like Neel Kashkari who understand how to jumpstart the private sector, fix our schools and get people working again,” Romney said in a statement. “Republicans in California and across the nation must unite behind candidates who will fight for our Party’s principles of fiscal responsibility and hard work -- and I believe Neel is that candidate.”

Kashkari, who is trailing in the GOP field behind Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, hinted Sunday that such an endorsement was in the works.

It’s unclear how much endorsements will sway voters who head to the polls in June for the primary election. But they could help if the endorsers, notably Romney, open up their donor networks to Kashkari.

Since announcing his gubernatorial bid in January, Kashkari has raised about $1.6 million, less than his campaign had planned on.

Kashkari and Donnelly are the main GOP competitors for one of two top-finisher spots in June. Incumbent Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat, is the overwhelming favorite for the other spot and for victory in the fall.

A spokesman for Brown poked fun at the endorsement by Romney, who lost California to President Obama by 23 points in 2012.

“I can’t imagine a single California voter looking at their ‎ballot and saying, ‘WWMD -- what would Mitt do?’ ” said spokesman Dan Newman.

Twitter: @LATSeema

seema.mehta@latimes.com