With Florida set to come fifth in the procession of states that will choose the Republican presidential nominee, some of the leading candidates continue to build their teams and expand their outreach in the increasingly crucial Sunshine State.
On Tuesday, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced he is backing former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts for the Republican presidential nomination.
I am proud to have the support of Commissioner Adam Putnam, Romney said in a statement. Throughout his career, Adam's leadership on difficult issues has served Floridians well. Adam's support and counsel will be important in the upcoming election, as we work to defeat President Obama and restore the American economy.
Mitt Romney is a tested conservative and a proven leader. With him in the White House, we can regain our standing abroad and repair our economy at home, said Putnam. Three years into President Obamas term, it is clear that his policies have failed the country. Onerous regulations are burdening businesses, overspending has threatened our credit, and unemployment remains dangerously high. Florida has felt the effects of these failed policies more than many other states, and we cant afford to continue down the same path. Mitt Romney knows how the economy works he spent his life in the private sector and has the knowledge and the plan to put Americans back on the path to prosperity.
By backing Romney, Putnam becomes the first Republican currently holding statewide office to come out for one of the GOPs presidential hopefuls. During the 2008 election cycle, Putnam, then a congressman, backed former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee for the Republican presidential nomination.
Romney currently trails businessman Herman Cain, who won the Presidency 5 straw poll in Orlando, in polls of the Sunshine State. While Cain has surged in polls at the state and national levels since winning Presidency 5, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas -- who placed second in the straw poll -- is fading in them. Perry signaled that he intended to fight for Florida on Monday when he unveiled his leadership team for the Tampa Bay region.
Im thankful for the support of so many in the Sunshine State and their dedication to our campaign efforts, said Perry. These county leaders will be instrumental in bringing my vision to get America working again to Florida, and sharing my record of job creation and fiscal conservatism with voters there.
Perry is relying on veterans of Florida politics to get back on track in the Sunshine State. Maria Converse, who chaired Marco Rubios U.S. Senate campaign in Citrus County, will have the same post for the Perry campaign. Another Rubio county chairwoman -- Tabatha Matassa -- will lead Perrys team in Hernando County. Chet Renfro, the treasurer of Pinellas Republican Executive Committee who helped Rubio as well, will serve as Perrys chairman in Pinellas County.
Wes Maddox, who was a state co-chairman for Pam Bondis successful bid for attorney general, will lead Perrys team in Hillsborough County along with Republican activists Josh Burgin and Terri Gaffney. Heather Goldin, secretary of the Manatee County Republican Executive Committee, will chair Perrys efforts there. Two prominent Republican leaders -- Bill Bunting and Fred Manno -- will co-chair Perrys team in Pasco County, while Julie Brady will head up his efforts in Sarasota County.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or (850) 727-0859.
