Jon Huntsman Gets the Backing of Ellyn Bogdanoff and Jim Cason

While his bid for the Republican presidential nomination is flopping in the polls at the national level and in most states, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman announced that he had garnered the endorsements of two prominent Florida Republicans -- state Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, and Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason.

"Ellyn and Jim are tremendous public servants and community leaders, and I am humbled to gain their support," said Huntsman, who has based his campaign in Orlando. "I look forward to working with them as we continue to spread our message in Florida and across the nation."

"Floridians need jobs, and Gov. Huntsman is the candidate with the leadership and experience to deliver," said Bogdanoff, who was first elected to the Florida House in 2004 before moving up to the Senate. "Due to the pro-growth policies he implemented as governor -- including historic tax cuts -- Utah led the nation in job creation and was named the best-managed state in America. This is precisely what our nation needs today to get us out of these tough economic times."

"I am excited to support a fellow ambassador like Jon for president," said Cason, who served as ambassador to Paraguay under President George W. Bush. "He is the only candidate who offers the combination of the executive experience that comes from managing a state with extensive foreign policy experience. He is qualified to represent America's strength and ideals on the national and the global stage, which is especially critical in these tumultuous times."