A Republican congressman who represents Staten Island is backing Mitt Romney for the GOP presidential nomination because he doesn't believe former Mayor Rudy Giuliani will run.
Rep. Michael Grimm tells the Wall Street Journal that he had been waiting to see what Giuliani would do before deciding on his endorsement.
"I wanted to wait until I knew for sure, and I feel pretty confident that the mayor's not going to run," Grimm said.
Giuliani played a major role in getting Grimm elected last year.
The former mayor and one-time presidential candidate said during the summer that he was waiting until September to make a decision about running for the White House again, but has yet to say what his plans are.
As recently as two weeks ago, a top political adviser to Giuliani was meeting with New Hampshire Republicans.
Grimm told the Journal that he met recently with Texas Gov. Rick Perry but has decided to back Romney, describing him as "the right candidate to lead America during these tough times."
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"I think the Republicans have to rally behind the candidate that can win, and you don't win by holding a purity contest,'' Grimm added.
