Updated

The chairman of the American Conservative Union endorsed Mitt Romney for president Thursday, saying the former Massachusetts governor is the best hope for conservatives in 2008.

David Keene said in a statement that he intends to spend the coming weeks persuading other conservatives to close ranks behind the GOP candidate, who has also earned the support of Moral Majority Co-Founder Paul Weyrich.

"As this race began, I intended to remain neutral both because there was no conservative consensus candidate and because I know and admire several of those running for the Republican nomination who I believe could win next fall," Keene said. "In recent months, however, Governor Romney has emerged as the single candidate most worthy of conservative support."

Keene has been a national spokesman for conservative causes since the '70s, and frequently writes opinion pieces for various political publications.