LOS ANGELES, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Former California Governor Pete Wilson endorsed former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani for the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday.

    "Rudy has proven he is the leader and the problem-solver this country needs as president, and he is the Republicans' best opportunity to win the general election because of that," said Wilson, California's governor from 1991-99.

    "The Republican Party is fortunate to have Rudy Giuliani as a candidate," said Wilson, adding that Giuliani's executive experience and record of results in New York "are unmatched."

    Giuliani, who is leading the national polls in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, is in California for a campaign fund-raiser.

    He will meet voters at a downtown Los Angeles restaurant on Friday and address the National Federation of Republican Women convention, a campaign aide said.

    "Pete Wilson's accomplishments in virtually all levels of government in California prove that common-sense governing is key to success in public service," Giuliani said while accepting Wilson's endorsement. "Pete will be an excellent advocate for our campaign and I am grateful to have his support."

    Giuliani's visit comes as his lead in the national polls has diminished following the Sept. 5 entrance of former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson into the race.

    Giuliani held a 9 percentage point lead over Thompson and Sen. John McCain, Senator from Arizona, in a Gallup Poll conducted Sept.14-16. Giuliani led Thompson by 12 percentage points and McCain by18 in a Gallup Poll conducted Sept. 7-8.

    He led Thompson by 15 percentage points and McCain by 21 percentage points in an Aug. 13-16 Gallup Poll.

    The polls had a margin of error of 5 percentage points.