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Two large Michigan newspapers endorsed native son Mitt Romney today as the Republican Party's nominee for president of the United States.

Both The Grand Rapids Press and The Oakland Press of Pontiac put their support behind Romney, a former Massachusetts governor with ties to Michigan.

His father, George Romney, ran American Motors Corp. before serving as Michigan's governor from 1963-69, ran unsuccessfully for the GOP presidential nomination in 1968 and was secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under President Nixon.

"Among Republicans on the ballot in Tuesday's presidential primary, two candidates would offer solid leadership: Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney," the Grand Rapids newspaper said in its endorsement editorial. "However, when it comes to Michigan's challenges and needs, the passion and knowledge of Mr. Romney tip the scales in his favor."

The paper decided not to back any of the Democratic candidates for president. It called the race "a disappointing non-contest" because four candidates - most notably Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina - scratched their names from the ballot, bowing to party rules.

The Pontiac newspaper said "there's no doubt whom state Republicans should vote for - Mitt Romney."

"Romney certainly has the credentials to run the country," The Oakland Press said in its editorial. "He is a former Massachusetts governor who turned that state's economy around and proved to be a more than able leader."

Because Hillary Rodham Clinton will be the only one of three front-runners who will be on Michigan's Democratic primary ballot, it was "difficult, if not impossible, to endorse one at this time."

Earlier this month, both the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News endorsed McCain for the GOP nomination. Neither paper backed a Democratic candidate.