A possible Republican presidential candidate offered a quick endorsement to a new U.S. Senate candidate in Florida as he continues his efforts in the Sunshine State.
Former Ambassador John Bolton, who is looking at running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 and was President George W. Bushs ambassador to the United Nations, threw his support behind U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., campaign to replace U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. in the Senate. Rubio is running for the Republican presidential nomination.
I strongly endorse Congressman Ron DeSantis for the United States Senate, Bolton said on Wednesday. America needs principled leaders like Ron standing up for Americas national security interests in Congress. Ron supports a strong national defense and has been forceful in raising alarms about the Iran nuclear framework that would pave Iran's path to the bomb. He is a stalwart defender of Israel as well as a major critic of the Obama administrations absurd Cuba policy. For Republicans who want America to remain strong at home by being strong abroad, and for those who recognize that we must remain ever vigilant in the defense of liberty, Congressman Ron DeSantis is the choice for U.S. Senate.
Ambassador Bolton and I are both Reagan conservatives deeply concerned with Americas declining standing abroad under this administration, and in the Senate I will do everything I can to turn that around, DeSantis said on Thursday. We must have a strong foreign policy that defends Americas vital national interests, stands by our allies and displays firmness with our enemies. When it comes to foreign policy, Floridians can count on me to stand with Israel, fight Iran's attempt to go nuclear, and oppose the dictatorial regimes in Cuba and Venezuela.
This is not the first time Bolton has endorsed DeSantis. Last year, praising DeSantis as a leader who understands the importance of a strong U.S. national security policy, Bolton backed him for a second term.
In the meantime, Bolton continues to test the waters for a presidential bid in 2016, much like he did during the 2012 election cycle. Through his John Bolton PAC and Bolton Super-PAC, Bolton raised $7.5 million in last years election cycle, backing Republicans who share his foreign-policy views.
During last years elections, Bolton was very active in some of the early primary states, backing Senate candidates and congressional hopefuls in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Bolton was also busy in the Sunshine State in last years elections despite it being the home of two other potential Republican presidential candidates in former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., and Rubio.
Calling U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla. a leader on foreign policy, Bolton supported her efforts to win another term. He also backed U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., for another term, insisting the South Florida Republican understands the need for strong national security policy.
Bolton also supported Carlos Curbelos successful challenge to then-U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla. Carlos Curbelo represents a new generation of Republican leadership that will bring new ideas and direction to Congress," Bolton insisted.
But not all of Boltons bets paid off in Florida. Bolton supported then-U.S. Rep. Steve Southerlands, R-Fla., unsuccessful effort to hold off Democratic challenger Gwen Graham. Bolton also backed former state Rep. Carl Dominos failed bid to defeat U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., who is now running for Rubios Senate seat.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
