Blog: After Florida House speaker backs Perry, rank-and-file members back Romney
Oct 25, 2011
The following article was posted to The Buzz blog in the St. Petersburg Times on October 25, 2011:
After Florida House Speaker backs Perry, rank-and-file members back Romney
What’s going on in the Florida House? First, the top three Republicans get out front of House Speaker Dean Cannon and all back Tim Pawlenty for president. Cannon then became one of Rick Perry’s first and most high-profile backers.
When Pawlenty packed up his campaign, the trio then backed Mitt Romney. Today, 22 more House Republicans signed up for the former Massachusetts governor bringing the total to 28. (There are 81 Republicans in the Florida House.)
Here’s the release from the Romney campaign:
Boston, MA – Mitt Romney today announced additional legislative endorsements in Florida.
“I am thrilled to have earned the support of so many respected legislators in Florida,” said Mitt Romney. “They are champions for the taxpayer, fighting for the middle class that has been hit so hard by President Obama’s failed economic policies. Their hard work in Tallahassee will help put many Floridians back to work. I’m excited to work with them to bring my message of reduced spending and fiscal restraint to Washington.”
“Florida Republicans are getting behind Mitt Romney because he is the one candidate with the leadership experience and conservative solutions to help fix our country’s struggling economy,” said Florida House Speaker Designate Will Weatherford. “I welcome these legislators who share Mitt Romney’s vision for our country’s future. They join an already impressive Florida team and I look forward to working with them to elect Mitt Romney and defeat President Obama in November 2012.”
Members Of Florida Legislature Endorsing Mitt Romney:
State Senator Nancy Detert
State Senator Garrett Richter
State Representative Doug Broxson
State Representative Steve Crisafulli
State Representative Marti Coley
State Representative Fred Costello
State Representative Jose Diaz
State Representative Jim Frishe
State Representative Eduardo “Eddy” Gonzalez
State Representative Ana Rivas Logan
State Representative Charles McBurney
State Representative Larry Metz
State Representative Peter Nehr
State Representative Bryan Nelson
State Representative Jeanette Nunez
State Representative Jose Olivia
State Representative Kathleen Passidomo
State Representative Jimmy Patronis
State Representative Ray Pilon
State Representative Stephen Precourt
State Representative Lake Ray
State Representative Patrick Rooney
State Representative John Tobia
State Representative Mike Weinstein
Florida Legislators Already Endorsing Mitt Romney:
State Senator JD Alexander
State Senator Mike Bennett
State Senator Anitere Flores
State Senator Evelyn Lynn
State Senator John Thrasher
State Senator Stephen Wise
State Representative Richard Corcoran
State Representative Daniel Davis
State Representative Chris Dorworth
State Representative Shawn Harrison
State Representative Ed Hooper
Speaker Designate Will Weatherford