Sen. Marco Rubio Marco Antonio RubioOvernight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers Democrats step up hardball tactics as Supreme Court fight heats up Press: Notorious RBG vs Notorious GOP MORE's (R-Fla.) presidential campaign has secured the support of influential Oklahoma City-based energy executive Larry Nichols.

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Nichols, the chairman of Devon Energy, has been carefully studying the Republican primary field for months and has finally decided to throw his weight behind Rubio, believing the junior senator most capable of navigating a fractious primary season.

Nichols has made more than $800,000 in hard-dollar political contributions over his career and said in a telephone interview Sunday that he plans to encourage his personal and professional networks to support Rubio. Nichols said he has already made the maximum personal contribution to Rubio's campaign and, when asked about his super-PAC intentions, said he would "consider any ways that I might help [Rubio] in the future."

"As I have witnessed all of the candidates during past several months, during debates, speeches and interviews; I think that Marco Rubio is the candidate that's most likely to be able unite this fractured country and move the United States forward," Nichols said.

Nichols added that he thought former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and others in the field were qualified, but he ultimately decided to go with Rubio.

His endorsement of Rubio follows a string of high-profile donors getting behind the Florida senator including billionaire hedge fund manager Paul Singer and influential North Carolina businessman Art Pope.