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Harold Hamm, CEO of Continental Resources and among the pioneers in shale oil drilling in the U.S., gives an interview on Jan. 13 in New York. | AP Photo Billionaire oil tycoon Harold Hamm endorses Trump

Oklahoma oil executive Harold Hamm endorsed Donald Trump for president on Friday, writing that the Republican front-runner "is not my last choice, he is the best choice."

Hamm, the billionaire chief executive officer of oil producer Continental Resources, wrote in an open letter that Trump "has tapped into the basic beliefs of the American people." The endorsement — which Hamm said was unsolicited — comes after he attended a fundraiser for Marco Rubio when the Florida senator was still in the race.

Hamm described Trump as "the business leader’s candidate."

"He is someone who is not beholden to special interests and has the fortitude to make tough decisions," he wrote. "With a slew of onerous regulations now threatening to cripple American business, the next President of the United States must have the courage, determination and intelligence to disrupt politics as usual."

The oil tycoon was an energy adviser for Mitt Romney in 2012 and gave almost $1 million to a super PAC supporting Romney.

The news of Hamm's endorsement was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. Forbes estimates his net worth at nearly $10 billion.

