Los Angeles, Ca. – Former President George H. W. Bush is going to formally endorse Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination to run against President Obama next year. The two plan on appearing at an event in Houston on Thursday.
Romney spokeswoman Gail Gitcho said Romney and Bush will appear together and take questions from the press.
The endorsement is a sign that the Republican Party is uniting behind a candidate. At this point in the game there is growing pressure on challengers Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich to leave the primary and unite behind Romney. There are no indications that Ron Paul would leave the race but neither are there any indications that he would have any impact.
The 41st President has been offering Romney advice and support but has withheld a formal endorsement. While Romney has been running for the nomination for since 2008 there has been a lack of true frontrunner status for any of the candidates. Many high profile politicians have been holding back endorsements until now due to a real frontrunner moving ahead. At this point Romney is solidifying his lead and leads his closest challenger more than 2-1.
Former first lady Barbara Bush has formally backed Romney. She recorded automated telephone calls for him during the primary in Ohio.
Romney has also recently benefited from other high profile Republican endorsements over the last few weeks.
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has already also endorsed Mitt Romney for President. Former President George W. Bush has not endorsed any candidate for president.