All signs point to former U.S. Rep. Allen West considering a political comeback as he continues to go to bat for Republicans across the nation and will release a book next spring.
Despite losing to Democrat Patrick Murphy in 2012, West has left the door open to running again. West has said he would be interested in running for the U.S. Senate in 2016 if U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., runs for the Republican presidential nomination. Asked about a presidential bid in 2016 earlier this year, West did not rule it out.
One possibility West has ruled out has been a rematch with Murphy in 2014. West is already helping Juno Beach Vice Mayor Ellen Andel raise funds as she runs for the Republican nomination to challenge Murphy next year. Earlier this month, West headlined a fundraiser for Andel.
Using his Allen West Guardian Fund PAC, West is also helping other Republicans out across the country. On Tuesday, West went to bat for two Republican congressional candidates -- Dan Bongino in Maryland and Mia Love in Utah -- and U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who is challenging U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., in one of the most closely watched Senate contests of the 2014 election cycle.
It's starting to feel a lot like election season, West emailed supporters on Tuesday. We're officially within one year of the 2014 midterm elections, but the way the Left has launched a war against conservatives, you'd think the elections were being held tomorrow!"
West insisted the three Republicans hes endorsed are facing some particularly harsh attacks, validating why the Guardian Fund endorsed them. They're great conservative leaders who will play a major role in crafting the policy and value set of America's future.
Noting Democrats were saying Bongino is exploiting his background in the Secret Service, West insisted, The truth is the things Dan saw and heard while protecting President Obama like the deals made behind closed doors to pass Obamacare inspired him to run. But of course Obama's liberal allies don't want you to know that.
West also defended Cotton from accusations of violating campaign laws and pushed back against critics who say Love is burning though her campaign cash.
The outspoken former representative has penned a new book that will hit shelves in April 2014. West announced the release of "Guardian of the Republic: An American Ronin's Journey to Faith, Family and Freedom" on Monday in an appearance on Greta Van Suseterns show on Fox News.
In 'Guardian of the Republic,' I share my experiences as the father of two daughters, a soldier leading men into battle, and a member of Congress during one of the most politically polarized eras in American history, West informed supporters on Monday night. I hope that readers can learn from my successes and failures, and more importantly, that the next generation of conservative leaders is inspired by my story.
In reviewing the book, Fox News' Monica Crowley writes, "'Guardian of the Republic' is not simply the title of this powerful book. It's what the founders demanded of each of us: to be sentinels for freedom. Allen West is such a soldier. From the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan to the combat of Capitol Hill and beyond, he has fought tirelessly and fearlessly for the American idea. This is a passionate clarion call to restore that idea -- 'the last best hope of earth,' in the words of Lincoln -- before it's too late."
West, who lives in Palm Beach Gardens, outlines what he believes the country needs: "a principled, informed conservative who understands where we came from, who can trace the philosophical roots of our faith and freedom, and who has a plan to get America back on track."
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com.
