Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president Friday morning.
"As I have said throughout this primary process, we need a governor to serve as our next president," said McDonnell in a statement provided by the Romney campaign. "America needs leadership and that's what governors do: they lead. Governors actually have to find solutions and bring all parties together in order to get results for their citizens -- they can't just sit back and cast votes. Mitt Romney has been an effective leader his entire life, in business, the Olympics and as governor."
The announcement comes one day after Rick Perry, McDonnell's predecessor as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, dropped out of the race.
Virginia's primary ballot tripped up many of the GOP candidates. Only Romney and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) will be on the state's March 6 ballot, because other candidates failed to get the required signatures from 10,000 registered voters, with 400 from each of the state's 11 congressional districts. Perry sued to try to get on the ballot, but his suit was rejected. Remaining GOP contenders Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich will not be on the state's ballot.
McDonnell will campaign with Romney in Charleston Friday afternoon and appear at several events ahead of the South Carolina primary on Saturday.