The Rubio campaign today released a list of Virginia Republican leaders who recently endorsed his candidacy. This list is in addition to the party leaders on the list that the Rubio campaign released in December.
Included in the new list are Del. Jason Miyares (R-Va. Beach), who is now a state co-chairman of the Rubio campaign, Bearing Drift founder and Editor-in-Chief Jim Hoeft, and various GOP unit chairman from across the Commonwealth. (NOTE: Jim’s endorsement is in his personal capacity. Bearing Drift does not endorse political candidates. Bearing Drift Senior Contributors D.J. McGuire and yours truly have also publicly endorsed Rubio.)
“Marco’s optimistic message is resonating with people across Virginia, and I am honored to help lead this outstanding team,” said Del. Miyares. “Virginians are well aware of the challenges we face as a nation, but they want ideas and solutions, and they know that is what Marco is offering. I look forward to working with this team to ensure we nominate the only candidate capable of uniting the Republican party and winning in November.”
“The next President of the United States must be prepared to be commander-in-chief on day one, and I strongly believe Marco Rubio is the best man for the job,” said Jim Hoeft, a retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander. “Not only does he best understand the challenges facing our world today, he has the judgment and demeanor necessary to rebuild our military, unite our allies and keep the American people safe.”
“We are excited to announce an outstanding team of leaders from across Virginia,” said Micah Johnson, Regional Spokeswoman for Marco Rubio for President. “As the only campaign that is organized in all 50 states, we are ready for the long haul, and earning the support of these key leaders will allow us to continue our momentum and earn the support of even more Virginians as we approach the March 1 primary.”
Here are Rubio’s Virginia leadership team and newly announced supporters:
Virginia Chairman:
State House Majority Caucus Chairman Tim Hugo
Virginia Co-Chairs:
State House Majority Leader Kirk Cox
State Senator Bryce Reeves
State House Delegate Kathy Byron
State House Delegate Jason Miyares
Jim Beamer
Chris Nolen
Virginia Endorsements:
Carey Allen, Vice Chair of Chesterfield County GOP, Chesterfield/James River District Soil & Water Conservation Director
Dr. Beldon Bell, Member, Fauquier County GOP Executive Committee; Trustee, Heritage Foundation
Glenn Bertsch, Loudoun County GOP Activist
Mike Brunner, Former Member, Arlington County Board of Supervisors
Rick Canton, Loudoun County GOP Activist
Robert Dyer, Member, Virginia Beach City Council
Kate Gaziano, Fairfax County GOP Activist
Marquis Gough, Student Leader, Patrick Henry College
JC Hernandez, Arlington County Republican
Jim Hoeft, Founder and Editor, Bearing Drift and LCDR, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Ashley Judah, Chair, Marymount University College Republicans
Randall Judt, Arlington County GOP Activist
Nancy Linton, Former Candidate, Fairfax County School Board
Jeremiah Lorrig, Issues Committee Chair, Loudoun County Young Republicans
Ed Lynch, Former Chair, Roanoke County GOP
Jason Miyares, Member, Virginia House of Delegates
Michael Monrroy, Chair, Loudoun County Young Republicans
Andrew Mullins, Vice Chair, Loudoun County Young Republicans
Davis Rennolds, Chair, Richmond City GOP
Jim Rich, Former Chair of 10th Cong. District & Former Chair of Fauquier County Republican Party
Debbie Rose, Loudoun County GOP Activist
Nancy Russell, Chair, Hanover County GOP
M. David Skiles – Fairfax County GOP
Stephanie Stockman Terrill, Loudoun County GOP Activist
Nicole Tardif, Treasurer, Loudoun County Young Republicans
Nikhil Verma, McLean Precinct Captain, Fairfax County Republican Committee
H. Lillian Vogl – Former Secretary, Fairfax County GOP
Lee Vogler, Member, Danville City Council
Ron Wright, Vice Chair of Finance, Fairfax County GOP
Sang Yi, Former Candidate, Virginia House of Delegates
Betsy Young, Chair, Danville County GOP
It is also worth noting that former Governor and Senator George Allen recently endorsed Rubio, and today former Senator Rick Santorum dropped out of the race for president and endorsed Rubio.
Virginia’s Primary election (along with 14 other Super Tuesday states and territories) is March 1st.
UPDATE: This evening, Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ), a co-founder of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, endorsed Rubio. Rep. Salmon’s endorsement could help mute the claims by some that Rubio is the “establishment” candidate notwithstanding his almost perfect scores by virtually every prominent conservative organization in the country.
