Former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, running in the crowded Republican primary field to take on Democrat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, announced Thursday he had garnered the endorsements of state Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, and two state representatives -- Rob Schenck, R-Spring Hill, and Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland.
"These endorsements mean a lot to me, personally, and to the campaign and I am honored to have their support," Hasner said in a statement. "Garrett, Rob, and Kelli are great additions to our growing grass-roots organization and I look forward to working with them to defeat Senator Nelson and deliver real conservative leadership to the U.S. Senate."
"I was honored to serve in the Florida House with Adam and I know that he is the only candidate in this race that Floridians can trust to faithfully represent their values," said Richter, who represents parts of Collier and Lee counties. "My fellow House Republicans and I knew that we could always count on Adam to stand up and fight for the conservative cause and I know he will do the same for all Floridians when serving in Washington."
Schenck, who represents parts of Hernando, Pasco and Sumter counties, drew upon his experience in the House with Hasner and linked the Senate hopeful to conservative star U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
"My first term in the Florida House was under the leadership of Adam Hasner and Marco Rubio," said Schenck, who has served as the point man for the House leadership on Medicaid reform. "I saw firsthand how they worked together to promote a conservative agenda and the people of Florida would be well served by sending Adam to Washington to continue that work."
Stargel, who represents parts of Polk County, also looked to connect Hasner with Rubio in her endorsement.
"There is nothing more important than sending another strong conservative leader to Washington to stand alongside Senator Rubio, and Adam Hasner is that leader," said Stargel. "Adam has been fighting for conservative principles all his life and I know that when elected to the U.S. Senate he will continue that fight from day one."
Hasner has garnered the backing of two other state senators for his Senate bid as well as that of House Majority Leader Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami, and nine other current state representatives. Two former speakers of the Florida House who Hasner served under -- Allan Bense and Larry Cretul -- have also backed his Senate campaign.
Besides Hasner, other candidates for the Republican nomination include former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, restaurant executive Craig Miller and businessman and retired Army officer Mike McCalister.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
