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Susan Duprey, who served as chief of staff to Ann Romney, Mitt Romney's wife, in 2011 and 2012, announced her support for the Florida senator on Tuesday night

"After his strong showing in Iowa last night, momentum is breaking his way, and it has become abundantly clear that Marco Rubio is the best candidate for our party," Duprey said

Manchester, New Hampshire CNN  — 

Marco Rubio on Tuesday scooped up an endorsement from a veteran Republican activist in New Hampshire as he looks to build upon a third-place finish in Iowa that has bolstered his credentials as a leading GOP establishment candidate.

Susan Duprey, who served as chief of staff to Ann Romney, Mitt Romney’s wife, in 2011 and 2012, announced her support for the Florida senator on Tuesday night. She is married to GOP Republican National Committeeman Steve Duprey, who remains neutral in the race.

Duprey also worked with her husband on John McCain’s 2008 campaign and was New Hampshire finance committee co-chair for former President George W. Bush’s 2004 campaign.

“Having worked for the previous four Republican nominees for President, I know what it takes to not only win the Republican primary, but also to take on the Democratic Party machine and win the general election,” Duprey said in a statement. “Only one candidate meets that standard and that is Marco Rubio.”

“After his strong showing in Iowa last night, momentum is breaking his way, and it has become abundantly clear that Marco Rubio is the best candidate for our party. I’m thrilled to throw my support behind Marco,” the statement adds.

News of Duprey’s endorsement was first reported by WMUR.

A CNN/WMUR poll released on Sunday found Rubio in third with 11% support among likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire. The Granite State holds its primary on February 9.