Utah Gov. Herbert backs Romney

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) has backed Mitt Romney’s presidential bid, calling him the leader the country needs during a time of high unemployment.

“Now is the time for Republicans to coalesce around the one GOP candidate who can defeat President Obama and get our great nation back on the right track,” Herbert said in announcing his endorsement. “We need a leader with an unwavering moral compass. We need a leader who can offer results, not rhetoric. That candidate is Mitt Romney.”

Herbert’s support won’t be a major game-changer for Romney, who is expected to handily win in Utah, home to the largest Mormon population in the United States.

The endorsement comes as Romney is campaigning in neighboring Nevada, where polls show him with a wide lead over the other candidates.