Florida House GOP Leader Backs Adam Hasner for U.S. Senate

On Monday, Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami, endorsed the man he replaced as state House majority leader -- former Rep. Adam Hasner -- in the Republican primary to challenge U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012.

"As a small-business owner, husband and a father, I'm deeply concerned about the direction of our country and the lack of leadership we see from both parties in Washington, said Lopez-Cantera. Without a doubt, Adam Hasner is the only candidate Florida Republicans can trust to go to Washington and stand firm for the kind of limited government reforms needed to turn our country around.

"Having served alongside Adam, I witnessed firsthand his consistent dedication to the mainstream conservative principles of our party, even when they weren't popular, added Lopez-Cantera. It's time for Florida Republicans to start to unite behind his campaign, so we can begin to focus our attention on winning back the United States Senate and defeating the Obama-Reid-Pelosi agenda."

"Carlos is an outstanding public servant and a champion for taxpayers, small businesses and free markets," said Hasner. "I'm proud to have Carlos on my team, and look forward to working with him to build a winning grass-roots campaign in Miami-Dade County."

In July, two other members of the House Republican caucus -- Rep. Dennis Baxley of Ocala and Rep. Scott Plakon of Longwood -- endorsed Hasner.