Updated

Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain endorsed Mitt Romney Wednesday afternoon, calling on disgruntled conservatives who didn't consider Romney their first choice to "get over it."

Cain announced his support for Romney in Washington, D.C.

"I've met with him privately and now I'm telling everyone publicly, if Mitt Romney wasn't your favorite candidate for the Republican nomination, get over it," Cain said in a written statement. "We need unity to take back the White House, the Senate and keep control of the House of Representatives."

The backing comes as Romney comes close to winning enough delegates to clinch the GOP nomination. Cain had previously backed Newt Gingrich, who is now out of the race.