National Conservative Leader Backs Dave Weldon for Senate

On Thursday, David Barton, an evangelical leader and conservative activist who has been very active on fighting for an increased role for religion in the public square, announced that he was backing former U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon for the Republican nomination to challenge Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

"I am pleased to endorse Dr. Dave Weldon in his bid to become a U.S. senator from Florida, Barton said in a statement. I have known and worked closely with Dave for many years and he is a balanced conservative -- he is both an economic and a social conservative. He is a strong and articulate champion of unborn life and traditional marriage and also of debt reduction, the free-market system, limited government and American exceptionalism.

I witnessed Dave firsthand fighting for all of these things when he was in Congress, and he has a voting record that shows him to be beyond question a constitutional conservative, added Barton. Unlike so many other Senate Republicans who simply vote as Senate leadership tells them, Dave will fight for the right principles even if that means he has to stand up to his own leadership -- which he certainly did on occasion when he was in the House. To have such a courageous leader serve in the U.S. Senate would be an asset, not only for Floridians but also for all Americans."

I am deeply thankful and humbled by Davids endorsement, Weldon said. David and I have fought hard to pass legislation that protects families across Florida and this country.David is a strong national voice for life and marriage and its an honor hes supporting our campaign.