Larry Cretul Backs Adam Hasner to Challenge Bill Nelson in 2012

On Tuesday, former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, now part of a crowded field of Republican candidates looking to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, announced that he had the support of former Florida House Speaker Larry Cretul. Cretul, who served as speaker while Hasner was majority leader, will be a co-chairman of the Hasner campaign.

Cretul praised his former House colleague in his endorsement.

"I'm endorsing Adam because he is the Republican Party's best choice to defeat Senator Nelson and take a mainstream conservative message to Washington," said Cretul. "During his service in the Florida House, Adam built an impressive record and was a forceful spokesman for the principles and ideas of our party -- even when it wasn't popular. Adam is a fighter and the only candidate in the race with a consistent, limited-government record that voters can trust to be a reliable alternative to the agenda we see coming out of Washington today."

"Larry is a good friend who has served our state with distinction during some challenging times, said Hasner. I've always respected his work as a small-business man, a husband, a father, and a grandfather. He's an economic champion who understands the kind of change we need to make in Washington in order to turn our country around and extend the blessings of liberty to the next generation. His endorsement is a testament to the support we are receiving across Florida for our campaign to fight the status quo in Washington and save America's exceptionalism."