Mitt Romney Gets Backing of Former Sen. Connie Mack

Former U.S. Sen. Connie Mack, whose son and namesake is currently running for the seat that he held for 12 years, is backing former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts for the Republican presidential nomination.

The Romney camp unveiled the endorsement of the elder Mack on Thursday. The team behind Rep. Connie Mack, who endorsed Romney earlier in the year, announced that he would run for the seat his father held from 1989 until 2001.

I am honored to receive Senator Macks support, Romney said in a statement. He has long been a champion in the fight to reduce our deficit and balance the budget. Senator Macks service to Floridians is long and distinguished and I am thrilled to work with him to spread my pro-growth message of reduced spending, a balanced budget and job creation.

Mitt Romneys conservative experience is unmatched, said Mack, who will serve on Romneys National Advisory Council. He spent his career in the private sector turning around failing businesses and creating jobs. As governor, he turned around his state, turning a $3 billion budget gap into a $2 billion rainy day fund, all without raising taxes. Mitt Romney will provide America the leadership we need to fix our economy, put Floridians and all Americans back to work, and return us to a new era of prosperity and opportunity. I am proud to support Mitt Romney for president.