Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has endorsed White House contender Newt Gingrich, after two months of wavering on whether the retired pizza chain executive would offer his support to a fellow candidate.

Cain, who ended his presidential campaign by the end of 2011 in the wake of sexual harassment allegations, made the endorsement at an event with Gingrich in West Palm Beach, Florida.

"I had it in my heart and mind a long time ago to endorse Gingrich," CBS News quoted Cain, as saying.

"Speaker Gingrich is a patriot, Speaker Gingrich is not afraid of bold ideas, and I also know that Speaker Gingrich is ... going through this sausage grinder," Cain said.

"I know what this sausage grinder is all about. I know that he's going through this sausage grinder because he cares about the future of the United States of America," he added.

Cain had suggested last week in South Carolina that he would not endorse one of the remaining Republicans in the field.

"Here is my unconventional endorsement. Not a candidate seeking the nomination. Not someone that's not running. My unconventional endorsement is the people! We the people of this nation are still in charge," he had said at that time. (ANI)