U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., needed some conservative help as he runs for the U.S. Senate in 2016 -- and on Wednesday, he got just that. Jolly’s left flank isn’t exactly secure in a Republican primary. Soon after upsetting former state CFO Alex Sink in a special election last year, Jolly announced that he supported same-sex marriage. This quickly drew fire from the right, including from conservatives who backed Jolly over Sink. More recently, Jolly has teamed with U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, D-Fla., to extend the federal drilling ban in the eastern part of the Gulf even as conservatives push for more energy exploration.
But Jolly reeled in the support of a conservative on Wednesday. U.S. Rep. Rich Nugent, R-Fla., announced he was backing Jolly in the race to replace U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in the Senate. Rubio is running for the Republican presidential nomination and has said he will not run for a second Senate term.
Part of the increasingly vocal segment of Florida Republicans unhappy with the GOP leadersihip in Washington, Nugent voted for U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, R-Fla., over U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, earlier this year to lead the chamber. After keeping the gavel, in retaliation Boehner threw Nugent and Webster off the House Rules Committee.
“I’ve had the good fortune to get to know and work with David Jolly for a long time now,” Nugent said on Wednesday. “He is a fierce advocate for the people he represents, and crucially to me, that includes the veterans and active duty service members who call the Tampa Bay area their home. As a father of three soldiers, it’s not the people in Washington who talk about veterans who get my respect, it’s the people who back it up. And it’s why I am proud to stand behind his candidacy for the United States Senate.”
“I am grateful to have the support of my colleague, Congressman Nugent, a true conservative leader who I am privileged to call my friend,” said Jolly. “Congressman Nugent has served his community and our nation with honor in the National Guard, as sheriff of Hernando County and now as an exemplary lawmaker in the U.S. House. Rich’s commitment to advancing conservative principles, while being a staunch advocate for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines sets an example for all lawmakers. I am proud to share Rich’s commitment to service.”
Of course, some of the other Republican candidates have scored big endorsements which matter at this stage in the contest since polls show none of the GOP hopefuls are well-known, even with likely primary voters. Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera has the support of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., has rounded up the backing of many conservative groups in Washington, D.C., and was endorsed by U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla., earlier in the month. Trying to polish his credentials as an outsider, businessman Todd Wilcox seems less concerned with endorsements from elected officials.
Nugent isn't the only Florida congressman to get behind Jolly in recent days. Earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., announced he was backing Jolly. Ross is part of the House leadership as senior deputy majority whip but he has far closer ties to U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., than Boehner. Still, the Nugent and Ross endorsements should help Jolly reach out to some wary conservatives. Not a bad month for the Pinellas County congressman as he continues his Senate bid.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
