Romney scores big win with Gregg endorsement

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) scored a major win Monday with the endorsement of Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.).

The backing of New Hampshire’s senior senator should provide a boost to Romney, who already leads in the key early-primary state.

{mosads}“As we head into New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary, I am proud to have Judd Gregg and grassroots supporters from all across the state at my side,” Romney said.

Gregg, who served as chairman of the Budget Committee before Democrats won control of Congress last year, is widely regarded as one of the Senate’s most fiscally conservative members.

“I am proud to stand alongside Governor Romney as he campaigns to build a stronger America,” said Gregg, who campaigned with the former governor in New Hampshire on Monday. “For months, the people of New Hampshire have had the opportunity to meet Governor Romney all over the state and listen to his ideas for bringing change to Washington. Mitt Romney embodies New Hampshire’s values — values that stress government living within its means, lower taxes, a stronger military and stronger families.”

Romney touted Gregg’s conservative values and his service to the Granite State.

“As New Hampshire’s senior senator, he has always fought to do what is right for the people of his state, and he is one of the most respected fiscal watchdogs in Congress,” Romney said. “Judd Gregg’s leadership and support is a significant addition to our campaign to build a stronger America.”

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) also scored an early-state endorsement win Monday when his campaign announced the senator had won the backing of an anti-abortion rights leader who was supporting Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) until he dropped out of the race earlier this month.

Dr. Jerry Zandstra, president of the Pro-Life Federation of Michigan and former member of the Brownback for President National Steering Committee, is backing McCain in the key early-battleground state of Michigan, the campaign said.

A statement from Zandstra released by the McCain campaign said that he will work to move Brownback supporters to the Arizona senator’s side.

“I am sad to see Sam leave the race for president, but proud to announce my support for John McCain because he is the only pro-life candidate in the race with the ability to defeat Sen. Hillary Clinton,” Zandstra said in the release. “I will volunteer nearly full-time over the next several weeks to convince other pro-life leaders and Brownback supporters that John McCain is the best candidate for conservatives to support.”