Former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum to make first stop on Leno's "Tonight Show"

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Republican Rick Santorum lost his bid to become president this year, but he's earned a trip to Jay Leno's couch.

"The Tonight Show" announced Friday that the former Pennsylvania senator will appear on Leno's Burbank stage on May 8.

It will be his first appearance on the NBC late-night program.

Santorum pulled out of the GOP primary earlier this month, clearing the way for Mitt Romney to claim victory in the battle for the nomination to challenge Democratic President Barack Obama.