TRENTON — State Sen. Michael Doherty will endorse U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) for president on Monday, Paul's campaign announced today.

“Now more than ever, the United States needs a leader who respects the Constitution and who will return liberty and prosperity to the American people,” said Doherty (R-Warren) in a press release posted on Paul’s campaign website.

Paul will be in Trenton on Monday, where Doherty will endorse him on the Statehouse steps.

Doherty, who also endorsed Paul in his unsuccessful 2008 bid for president, is the first Republican lawmaker from New Jersey to endorse a presidential candidate this year.

"I think everything Ron Paul was talking about in 2007 and 2008 has come true ," said Doherty. “For example, he’s talked about some of the bubbles that have been created by the things the federal reserve has been doing. He’s talked about the dollar being devalued. He opposed the bailouts ," said Doherty."I think he’s also been a leader about using our military in a constitutional manner. He wants to bring our troops home."