WASHINGTON (AP) — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder plans to endorse Mitt Romney's presidential bid.

A Republican official tells The Associated Press that Snyder will announce on Thursday at an event in Farmington Hills, Mich., that he's backing Romney.

Romney plans to address a Livonia Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday, and Snyder is expected to appear with him. The Republican official was not authorized to speak publicly about the announcement and requested anonymity.

Snyder was elected governor in 2010. He plans to argue that Romney has a conservative fiscal record and a bold plan to cut spending.

The endorsement comes as Romney fights to win Michigan's Feb. 28 primary in the face of a challenge from rival Rick Santorum. Romney grew up in Michigan, and a loss would be a significant embarrassment.