Stamford, Connecticut (CNN) - Former New Hampshire Gov. John H. Sununu will endorse Mitt Romney on Monday, Sununu confirmed to CNN.
Republicans in the state had widely expected the New Hampshire Republican wise man to support Romney. His endorsement is highly prized and provides another sign the GOP establishment is backing Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, in the race for the presidential nomination. Sununu, who served as chief of staff to George H.W. Bush, will also serve as chairman of Gov. Romney's national steering committee, the campaign said.
New Hampshire is the first state to hold a primary, and helps set the tone for the race. It is the nation's second nominating contest after the Iowa caucuses.
Sununu's move comes after a difficult week for Romney in New Hampshire, after he was faulted by some for campaigning in Nevada despite a tussle with New Hampshire.
After intense pressure from Republican officials, Nevada voted Saturday to push back its caucus date, leaving New Hampshire second after Iowa.
Romney will file his paperwork for candidacy in the New Hampshire primary Monday morning, his campaign said.
The Sununu endorsement was first reported in the New Hampshire Union Leader.
From CNN Politics
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Herman Cain doesn’t need any endorsement but he will win the nomination
While it's all well and good for Mitts to begin cashing in on all those Republican Party chits he gave out during the 2010 election, one really has to question why he isn't paying more attention to those who actually will decide his fate ... you know, all the "we the little" people (voters) who Romney seems to be holding in contempt more and more each day as he spends his time and energy meeting and greeting with local Chamber of Commerce, local banks, and other local "big" people (corporations).