Florida Republican U.S. Rep. John Mica, the chairman of the Congressional House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced on Monday that he is backing former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts for the GOP nomination.

“It has not been my practice to endorse candidates in primary elections, but as I look at the direction our country has been taking under this president, I worry for our children and our grandchildren about our future,” Mica said in a statement released on Monday. “And, as I look at the field of candidates in this election, no one matches the outstanding business and elected executive credentials of Mitt Romney. He has the skills, experience and vision needed to defeat President Obama and turn around our economy. As a successful businessman and a fiscally responsible governor, Mitt knows how to balance budgets and he understands how to create jobs. He has also laid out bold plans to cut taxes, shrink government and control our national deficit. I am proud to endorse his candidacy and I look forward to campaigning with him across the Sunshine State.”

“I am honored to have earned Congressman Mica’s trust and support,” said Romney. “Like me, Congressman Mica understands that we need to cut spending, reduce government regulations and lower taxes to spur economic growth. With his help, I am confident we can spread this message across Florida and defeat President Obama in November 2012.”