Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) might soon have an unlikely ally on the Hill — conservative freshman Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) is likely to endorse his presidential candidacy.

Griffith, it turns out, has a connection to Romney via his son’s allergist. Dr. Dane McBride, based in Roanoke, Va., was Romney’s mission partner in France decades ago. “I’m constantly being reminded of what a great guy he is,” Griffith recently told Roll Call.

For that reason, Griffith endorsed Romney in 2008 while serving as Majority Leader in the House of Delegates. And at McBride’s request, Romney contributed early to Griffith’s successful bid to unseat Rep. Rick Boucher (D).

“Dane called upon the batphone and got through all the red tape and said, ‘Send Morgan money,’” Griffith said.

It’s only a matter of time before Griffith comes through for Romney’s second bid.

“I have not endorsed him yet, but there’s a personal tie,” he said. “I don’t have any problem with his religion, which some people in my district do, but I don’t.”