Former U.S. Rep. Allen West went to bat on Tuesday for congressional hopeful Mia Love, a fellow African-American Republican, who is running again in Utah.
Republicans across the nation have high hopes for Love who spoke at the Republican National Convention in Tampa last year while she was running against U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah. Despite losing to Matheson in 2012, Love is running again in 2014.
Having endorsed her earlier this month, West turned to supporters of his Allen West Guardian Fund PAC on Tuesday, encouraging them to back Love.
Last summer she gave one of the most heartfelt and inspiring speeches I've heard at the Republican Convention and gave liberal Congressman Jim Matheson the fight of his political life in Utah's 4th Congressional District, West wrote supporters. She lost by less than 800 votes, but fortunately for us, she's up for a rematch.
Since announcing her candidacy in May, Mia has put Matheson and the liberal left on notice, West added. She's in the district every day meeting voters, participating in events, and holding Matheson accountable for voting in lockstep with Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi.
Insisting, Pelosi's radical fundraising machine is preparing to launch an all-out assault against her, West pointed to Loves biography. Mia Love is the quintessential Guardian Fund candidate, West wrote. The daughter of Haitian immigrants, Mia knows what it takes to work hard and make ends meet -- and she's living proof the American dream still exists. Despite coming to the United States with just a few dollars to their name, Mia's parents never took a free handout and instilled this principle in their daughter. Today Mia is an unwavering advocate for limited government, fiscal sanity, and personal responsibility -- three things desperately missing in Washington.
Despite losing his seat to Democrat Patrick Murphy last year, West has opened the door to a political comeback in 2016. West recently said he would run for the U.S. Senate if U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., does not seek re-election in 2016. Throughout 2013, West has promised to back at least 14 conservative candidates in the 2014 election cycle through his PAC.
For her part, Love is highlighting Wests endorsement, pointing to his conservative record and insisting she will emulate it if she is elected.
I appreciate the support that former Congressman and retired Army Lt. Colonel Allen West has given to my campaign, Love said earlier this month when West endorsed her. In Congress he advocated for the same principles I believe in and that most Utah voters believe in: fiscal discipline, limited government, and personal responsibility. More now than ever, Americans want to see change in the way Washington operates. Backing from well-respected leaders like Allen West and others, helps motivate the grassroots support needed to bring about that change in Utahs 4th District.
Love continues to win the support of Republicans across the nation as GOP does have an advantage in registered voters in Mathesons district. In the third quarter of 2013, Love raised almost $590,000, far outpacing Matheson who brought in almost $278,500 during that same period. But West is burning through her money, spending $374,000 in the third quarter while Matheson spent $60,500. Matheson and Love are near even in terms of cash on hand. Matheson had more than $678,000 in the bank at the end of the quarter while Love had around $672,000 on hand.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com.
