Former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner announced Wednesday that three state legislators from the First Coast are backing his bid for the Republican nomination to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012. Hasners team sent out a statement announcing they had the support of Rep. Daniel Davis, R-Jacksonville; Rep. Lake Ray, R-Jacksonville; and Rep. Mike Weinstein, R-Orange Park.
"These endorsements mean a lot to me personally and to our campaign, as we continue to build the grass-roots infrastructure needed to defeat Senator Nelson and reclaim the majority in the U.S. Senate," Hasner said in the statement. "Dan, Lake, and Mike are tremendous public servants and great examples of leaders putting conservative principles into action and I am honored to have their support."
With Hasner and the other leading hopefuls for the Republican nomination -- former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, retired Army officer and businessman Mike McCalister and restaurant executive Craig Miller -- based out of the South and Central parts of the state, the candidates are looking to build in Republican-rich North Florida. LeMieux unveiled the backing of Panhandle Republican Rep. Clay Ford of Gulf Breeze earlier in the week.
The three First Coast legislators all served under Hasner, though Davis --who represents parts of Clay and Duval counties --was first elected to the Florida House in a special election in late 2010.
"I am endorsing Adam for U.S. Senate because he's the best choice for Florida Republicans looking for a leader willing to make the tough decisions needed to restore America's promise," said Davis. "The challenges we face as a nation require honest and forthright leadership and Adam is the right candidate at the right time."
Ray, who represents Duval County, ranks as one of the leading experts on port issues in the Florida Legislature and has been leading efforts to ready Floridas ports for the expansion of the Panama Canal, which should be completed by 2014.
"Adam's consistent conservative record proves that he will stand in strong opposition to President Obama and Senator Nelson's government-growing and debt-increasing policies," Ray said on Wednesday. "Floridians deserve another senator they can trust to pursue a limited-government agenda based on our foundational principles and Adam is that candidate."
While best known in Tallahassee for his initial opposition to SB 6, a measure reforming teacher performance pay, Weinstein is well known in Jacksonville for leading the citys efforts to host Super Bowl XXXIX and his two mayoral bids.
"Having served with Adam, I can say without a doubt that he is the only true conservative in the race," said Weinstein. "I am proud to support his campaign for U.S. Senate and greatly look forward to working with him to bring real conservative change to Washington."
Hasner has already garnered the backing of other state legislators, including former House speakers Allan Bense and Larry Cretul, current House Majority Leader Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami, and Republicans in both chambers of the Florida Legislature.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
