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Sen. Marco Rubio continues to solidify his support among Utah's political elite, picking up the endorsement of Sen. Orrin Hatch on Monday.
Hatch, Utah's senior senator and a short-lived 2000 presidential contender, had previously backed Jeb Bush. The former Florida governor bowed out of the race late Saturday after a poor showing in the South Carolina primary.
Rubio, R-Fla., came in second in that contest behind Donald Trump. Sen. Ted Cruz, came in third.
"Marco Rubio has demonstrated sound judgment in foreign affairs during his time in the Senate as well as articulating a vision for how to rejuvenate America's economy," Hatch said in announcing the endorsement. "Marco Rubio is also the only candidate in the race capable of uniting our party and reaching independent voters we need to win the White House."
All four of Utah's members of Congress have endorsed Rubio, as have state House Speaker Greg Hughes and Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, campaigned with Rubio in Nevada over the weekend in advance of Tuesday's caucus vote.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, hasn't endorsed one candidate, though he's expressed his support for both Rubio and Cruz.
Gov. Gary Herbert has yet to endorse a candidate.
It appears a number of Bush supporters and donors are migrating to Rubio, who is considered the party establishment's best chance at winning the nomination. The Washington Post reports that 15 top Bush donors are now supporting Rubio.
And the senator announced a raft of new endorsements on Monday including those of Sens. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz. and Thom Tillis, R-N.C.
A new UtahPolicy.com poll released Monday, showed a tight race with Utah Republicans narrowly favoring Rubio (24 percent) over Cruz (22 percent) and Trump (18 percent).
The party will hold a presidential caucus on March 22, where registered Republicans can either vote in person at neighborhood meetings or online if they sign up early.
Before that caucus, the candidates will be in Utah for a nationally televised debate.