Donald Trump picks up first congressional endorsements

After leading GOP polls for months and picking up his third consecutive win Tuesday night in Nevada, Donald Trump has at last nabbed his first congressional endorsements.

In a statement to The Buffalo News, Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., said "Donald Trump has clearly demonstrated that he has both the guts and the fortitude to return our nation’s jobs stolen by China, take on our enemies like ISIS, Iran, North Korea and Russia."

“That is why I am proud to endorse him as the next President of the United States," he added.

Collins previously backed former Florida governor Jeb Bush, who dropped out of the face on Saturday night after a poor showing in South Carolina.

Trump also on Wednesday picked up the support of Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif, who told Politico: "We don't need a policy wonk as president. We need a leader as president."

The announcements come as Trump's status as the front-runner in the Republican field becomes even stronger with each successive win — and while many establishment Republicans are gravitating toward Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who finished second to Trump in Nevada and South Carolina.

Rubio is the runaway leader in endorsements from Republican officeholders among the remaining five GOP candidates, according to FiveThirtyEight's endorsement tracker.