Romney receives endorsement of inflential Republican

One of the more influential New Hampshire Republicans endorsed Mitt Romney's presidential campaign today, the Globe has learned.

Rich Ashooh, a former staffer for US Senator Warren Rudman, is now the vice president of government relations for BAE, the British defense contractor and the largest employer in New Hampshire.

Ashooh has deep contacts in the state and is respected by those in both political parties. He serves on the boards of the University System of New Hampshire, Franklin Pierce University and the New Hampshire Political Library.

It is another good pick-up for Romney after picking up the endorsement of US Senator Judd Gregg last week.