Eric Cantor, the second-ranking Republican in U.S. House of Representatives, endorsed former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney for president on Sunday, saying he is the candidate best suited to handle the economy.

Mitt Romney

Cantor, the House Majority Leader, announced his support on "Meet the Press," just two days before the Super Tuesday contest next week, when ten states including Virginia, Cantor's home state, will hold primaries.

Romney and Texas Congressman Ron Paul are the only two main GOP contestants participating in the Virginia primary.

"What I have seen is a very hard-fought primary. And we have seen now that the central issue about the campaign now is the economy," Cantor told host David Gregory. "I just think there's one candidate in the case who can do that, and it's Mitt Romney."

Cantor is the highest-ranking Republican member of Congress to make an endorsement in the primary. His support adds to a collection of endorsements Romney has collected from elected officials.

Eighty-one Republican members of Congress have voiced public support for Romney, according to Roll Call's count of endorsements.

Just 11 members of Congress have endorsed former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, by comparison.

Romney has additionally won endorsements from other national Republican figures like New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.