By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – It's official: Governor Matt Blunt is backing former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney for president.
Blunt says he's supporting Romney in part because he stood up for conservative values in a strongly liberal state.
He also thinks Romney would make a good Commander-in-Chief:
"Clearly it's important to have a strong leader as we engage in the global war on terrorism and defeat jihadists that want to destroy the United States of America, and hate Americans and everything that we stand for," Blunt said.
The governor made the announcement Thursday afternoon, and was joined by House Speaker Rod Jetton and Republican Senator Gary Nodler of Joplin.
They, too, have endorsed Romney for president.
Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, meanwhile, is backing actor and former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson, who's considering entering next year's presidential race.