Jeb Bush Gets the Backing of Orrin Hatch, Dean Heller

Holding a rally in the early caucus state of Nevada on Wednesday, former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., announced two members of the U.S. Senate were behind his campaign. 

U.S. Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Dean Heller, R-Nev., endorsed Bush before his event in Reno. 

“Our nation is at a crossroads,” Heller said. “It is in dire need of a proven leader. That leader is Jeb Bush. As the governor of Florida, Jeb built a strong record and proved to Americans his policies will help them advance toward a better tomorrow. The nation needs the pragmatic, conservative, principled leadership that only Jeb provides."

Heller insisted Bush would do well in Nevada. Besides holding an important caucus, the Silver State is expected to be a swing state in the November election. 

“Jeb understands why Nevada is important when appealing to the majority of American voters,” Heller said. “Most importantly, Jeb believes in growing the party and uniting it as he runs for president. That’s exactly what America needs. Someone who has the vision, the experience, and the ability to bring our nation forward to experience the best days ahead of it. That person is Gov. Jeb Bush. I proudly endorse him to become the next president of the United States of America.”

Hatch, the Senate president pro tempore and, having represented Utah since first being elected back in 1976, the longest-tenured Republican in the chamber, praised Bush’s record in Tallahassee. 

“Jeb is a proven leader,” Hatch said. “He has a real record of cutting taxes, fostering job creation, and reforming government. I know Jeb will return the United States to a position of leadership in the world.”

Hatch waged a brief bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000 but ended up endorsing Bush’s brother--then Gov. George W. Bush of Texas--after placing sixth in the Iowa caucus.