Tilley endroses Mitt Romney

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Another prominent Missouri Republican is endorsing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for the GOP presidential race.

On Thursday, Missouri House Speaker Steven Tilley cited Romney's experience and said that he seemed to be the best positioned among the GOP candidates to beat President Barack Obama. Tilley, of Perryville, called it a "no-brainer."

Several Missouri Republicans already have offered support for Romney, including U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, former U.S. Sen. Jim Talent and Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich.

Tilley says he wants to help Romney's campaign in Missouri. Tilley has developed relationships throughout the state during the course of his career in the Legislature. Those connections could prove particularly useful because Missouri Republicans will award presidential delegates through a caucus process that starts in March.