Majority Leader Eric Cantor, and Congressmen Bob Goodlatte and Morgan Griffith endorsed former U.S. Senator George Allen in his bid to win the GOP nomination for Senate in 2012 today.
In a joint press release, the congressmen said of Allen:
Virginians are going to play a crucial role in determining the control of the U.S. Senate and the direction of our country. In order for America to lead once again we need like-minded partners like George Allen in the U.S. Senate. Our country can’t afford to allow the Senate Democrats to continue to block the policies that will allow businesses to expand and create more jobs for Americans.
George Allen has a long track record of success implementing small government reforms that grow the economy and create jobs. He has been a longtime supporter of a Balanced Budget Amendment, introducing it in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. As Governor, he reduced the tax burden on Virginia families and businesses, fostered a pro-growth environment that helped create jobs, and left Virginia with a smaller, leaner government.
The hard working men and women of Virginia deserve a Senator who will fight for their values every day in Washington, not the failed policies of the Obama Administration. We are proud to stand with a great Virginia leader, George Allen, and we strongly support his campaign for U.S. Senate.
Allen said of the endorsement:
“Majority Leader Cantor and Congressmen Griffith and Goodlatte are fighting hard in Washington to stop the Senate Democrats’ job-crushing, big-spending agenda. By taking control of the U.S. Senate away from Harry Reid, we can finally start acting on the efforts by Leader Cantor and other Republicans in the House of Representatives to help create jobs and restore fiscal responsibility. I am excited that these leaders will be standing alongside us in our mission to bring Virginia voices to the U.S. Senate.”
It should be noted that this endorsement is not unexpected, but it certainly helps clarify why Allen leads his closest GOP competitor by 60 points.