Presidential candidate Mitt Romney is getting a lot of love from Republicans in Illinois’ congressional delegation. Three of them are now backing the former Massachusetts governor.

The latest endorsement comes from U.S. Rep. Bob Dold, a freshman lawmaker from Chicago’s North Shore suburbs. Romney is a relatively safe pick for Dold, who tries to project a moderate, bipartisan image.

In an interview Monday, Dold acknowledged the endorsement comes with risks: including offending his own supporters who back a competing presidential candidate. But he’s decided to pull the trigger.

“Governor Romney came into Washington, D.C., and had several of us together to talk about his vision for the country going forward,” Dold said. “And I had been leaning [in] that direction.”

U.S. Reps. Judy Biggert of Hinsdale and Aaron Schock of Peoria also back Romney. He finished third in an Illinois GOP straw poll earlier this month, behind Texas Congressman Ron Paul and Georgia businessman Herman Cain.