Mel Martinez to Chair Mitt Romney's National Advisory Council

FormerU.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, a Republican from Orlando, has endorsed and will serve as a national adviser for Republican presidential contenderMitt Romney.

I have great confidence that Mitt Romney is the candidate to get our country back on track, Martinez stated in arelease from Romneys campaign.Unemployment remains a pressing issue both in Florida and across the nation. Now, more than ever, we need a leader who will get our countrys fiscal house in order.

Martinez, a former Republican National Committee chairman and the first Cuban-American elected to the U.S. Senate, served from 2005 to 2009.

As part of the release from Romneys campaign, Martinez was named as chairman of theGOP presidential contenders National Advisory Council.

I am honored to count former Senator Martinez as an ally, Romney stated in the release. The support of Florida voters will be critical and I look forward to working with him to turn this economy around.

In addition to Martinez's endorsement, Romney also got support Monday in another early primary state, fromformer New Hampshire governor Judd Gregg.

"New Hampshire voters are looking for a candidate who will focus on the economy from day one," stated Gregg, who alsospent three terms in the U.S. Senate. "Mitt Romney is the only candidate with a record of results in both the private sector and as governor."