John Boehner, Eric Cantor, Thomas Marino

Rep. Tom Marino, R-Pa., flanked by House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, left, and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Va., right, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Sept. 23, 2011.

(AP Photo/Susan Walsh, file)

A U.S. representative whose district includes parts of Perry County has become the first House member from Pennsylvania to endorses Donald Trump for president.

Rep. Thomas A. Marino, who describes himself as a "common sense conservative working to cut federal spending," said Monday he was endorsing Trump because "we need a strong leader in the White House."

"For the past 10 months, I have listened to political pundits and inside the beltway politicians say that Donald Trump is not a serious candidate, cannot win the Republican nomination and cannot win the presidency," the Williamsport-area Republican lawmaker said.

"However, Mr. Trump has defied the odds at every turn. It is time that we start listening to what the people want and that is a President Donald Trump. I am proud to give Mr. Trump my full endorsement and support today.

"In particular, Mr. Trump is right about the desperate need to address illegal immigration and fight to keep our country safe.

"For far too long, President Obama has used his executive action powers to circumvent Congress and institute dangerous policies that both cripple our national security and economy."

Reaction to Marino's announcement Monday night on his Facebook page was mostly negative.

One posting asked how Marino would explain supporting someone "who flirts with the KKK. You disgust me." Another asked if his Facebook account had been hacked.

Several supported Marino's decision, including one who posted "Trump all the way" and another praised him for doing "the right thing." One asked what took him so long.

Marino is running for his fourth term with his only opponent at this juncture an independent from Lycoming County.