HARRISBURG, Pa.—The head of the Pennsylvania Republican Party says Rick Santorum's short-lived presidential campaign helped create momentum for the GOP heading into the fall campaign against Democratic President Barack Obama.

In a statement released by the party after Santorum suspended his campaign Tuesday, Chairman Rob Gleason praised the former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania and the other Republican presidential candidates created a foundation for a strong national campaign.

Gleason called Santorum a national leader and a strong advocate for Pennsylvanians.

He did not mention former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, now the clear front-runner for the Republican nomination. Gleason, who has not previously taken sides in the nomination race, says he'll reveal in the next couple days whether he'll endorse Romney.