Updated

Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has endorsed Newt Gingrich for the GOP nomination.

"I hereby officially and enthusiastically endorse Newt Gingrich for President of the United States," Cain said at a dinner the two attended in Florida on Saturday night.

"I know what this sausage grinder is all about. I know he's going through this sausage grinder because he cares about the American people," Cain said referring to the 2012 political campaign that has so far produced three different winners in three contests.

Gingrich, a former House of Representatives speaker, is in a fierce fight for Tuesday's Florida's Republican primary with Mitt Romney.

"(Gingrich) is a great candidate," Cain told Fox News. "He has a lot of positive attributes. I'm not against Mitt Romney if Mitt Romney gets the nomination, I'm gonna support him. But right now, I'm hoping Newt Gingrich gets the nomination and I'm going to work, and try to see to it that he gets the nomination."

Cain, a favorite of the conservative tea party movement and a former pizza executive, left the race before the first nominating contests facing accusations of unwanted sexual advances. He remains popular, however, and would be a late boost for Gingrich.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.