Allen West Backs Mark Bircher in Pinellas County Congressional Race

Former U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., a favorite of conservatives and the tea party movement, endorsed former Marines Gen. Mark Bircher in the Republican primary in the special election for the open congressional seat left vacant by the death of U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla. West endorsed Bircher late on Wednesday over former Young aide David Jolly and state Rep. Kathleen Peters, R-St. Petersburg.

From my vantage point off Capitol Hill, it appears the Republicans have lost the will to fight, and the desire for victory, West, who rose to lieutenant colonel in the Army, wrote. Is it any wonder? So few congressional members have served in uniform. Brigadier General Mark Bircher is exactly the type of citizen-servant our country needs on Capitol Hill and precisely the type of leader the left would like to suppress.

Praising Birchers military experience, West trashed the other Republicans in the race, hitting Jolly for being a lobbyist and bashing Peters for being pro-choice. The primary is set for Jan. 14. The winner will take on Democrat Alex Sink and Libertarian Lucas Overby in the general election on March 11.

Brigadier General Bircher understands his oath of service has no statute of limitations, West insisted. Americans must rally behind leaders like this warrior and send a message that we want principled men and women, those who have been willing to lay down their lives for this great nation, in our nations capital.