The approval gives the former chancellor a boost ahead of Thursday’s second vote, which will eliminate the least popular candidate.
Mr Hunt, who along with Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi failed to gather the 30 votes needed to advance to the next stage of the competition, described Mr Sunak as “one of the most decent straight people with the highest standards of integrity” in politics.
Mr Sunak, whose resignation at No. 11 helped spark the Tory leadership race, topped Wednesday’s vote, followed by the Commerce Secretary Penny Mordaunt and Secretary of State Liz Truss.
Former equality minister Kemi Badenoch, senior backbencher Tom Tugendhat and Attorney General Suella Braverman are also among the final six candidates.
Hunt, who held the positions of health and foreign affairs minister, said he supports Mr Sunak for his character and approach to the economy.
He said in a statement: “I have thought a lot about this and I support Rishi Sunak. And that’s for two reasons.
“First of all, the big challenge that we now face is an economic one, and this is someone of formidable ability, who has thought about what is the right thing to do for our economy, for families across the country, very hard. in the past two years.
“But in the end it’s not about policy. I’ve been around long enough to know that politics is really about character and Rishi is one of the most decent straight people with the highest standards of integrity I’ve ever met in British politics which is why I would be proud to have him as my next prime minister.”
Hunt had previously condemned “smears and assaults” by rival camps after Johnson loyalists accused Mr Sunak’s team of using “dark arts” after claims they were trying to “rinse off” votes to ensure Mr. Hunt crossed the threshold to enter the contest, as she believed that Mr. Sunak would beat him in a second round of party members.
Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the Conservative 1922 committee overseeing the contest, read the results of Wednesday’s vote in a crowded committee room 14 in the House of Commons.
Mr. Sunak was at 88, Mrs. Mordaunt, at 67, Mrs. Truss, 50, Mrs. Badenoch, 40, Mr. Tugendhat, 37, and Mrs. Braverman peeped on at 32.
Mr. Zahawi, brought in by Mr. Johnson after Mr. Sunak’s resignation, was awarded 25 and Mr Hunt only 18.
The remaining candidates attended an evening husting organized by the 1922 Committee of Backseats, with loud bangs greeting them from the House of Commons room when they arrived.
Ms Truss sought to unite the party’s right as the next vote from Thursday will narrow the field until two candidates remain.
“Now is the time for colleagues to unite behind the candidate who will cut taxes, deliver the real economic change we need from day one and make Putin lose in Ukraine,” a spokeswoman for the United Nations said. Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Zahawi supporter Jonathan Gullis suggested the campaigns should now be behind a single flag bearer for the right of the party.
But in admitting defeat, Mr Zahawi declined to state his support for a favored candidate, saying he has “no plans to intervene further”.
The first round of voting came after Downing Street was forced to deny there was a smear campaign to “stop Sunak” as the battle grew bitter.
The interim prime minister’s press secretary insisted that Mr Johnson “remain neutral” despite his remaining arch-loyalists throwing their support behind Ms Truss.
Culture Minister Nadine Dorries accused the former Chancellor’s campaign of employing “dirty tricks” to benefit his campaign and supported Ms Truss as the Brexiteers’ candidate.
Brexit Opportunities Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg accused Sunak of pursuing “economically harmful” policies.
When asked if No. 10 is involved in an anti-Sunak operation as the first round of voting loomed, Johnson’s press secretary replied bluntly, “No.”
She declined to say whether Downing Street will continue to support the former chancellor, whose resignation helped end Johnson’s hold on number 10.
The press secretary said she was not sure whether Johnson had discussed support for Truss with his allies before making their public statement in Downing Street.
“He remains neutral in this game,” the spokeswoman said.
Transport Minister Grant Shapps, who has given up on his own leadership attempt to support Mr Sunak, denied Ms Dorries’ claims that the campaign had played dirty tricks.
“Just, in this case it just didn’t happen,” he said.
Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Ms Mordaunt officially launched her campaign by telling colleagues who feared losing their seats under Mr Johnson’s leadership that she is their “best chance” of winning the next election.
“I am the candidate Labor fears most – and they are right,” she told Conservatives at Westminster’s Cinnamon Club.
Tory MPs will continue to vote in subsequent rounds until two candidates remain, who will then battle it out over the summer to win the support of Conservative members, with their pick for the next prime minister revealed on September 5.
Johnson will formally offer his resignation to the Queen to make way for his successor the following day, his official spokesman confirmed.