U.S. Senator and Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio waves as he arrives at a campaign rally in Exeter, New Hampshire. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)
RICHMOND — Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio rolled out a list of Virginia endorsements Wednesday, two days after the freshman senator from Florida pulled off a stronger-than-expected third-place finish in the Iowa GOP caucuses.
Among his supporters are Del. Jason Miyares (R-Virginia Beach), the first Cuban American elected to Virginia’s legislature, and Jim Hoeft, founder and editor of the conservative Web site Bearing Drift.
“Marco’s optimistic message is resonating with people across Virginia, and I am honored to help lead this outstanding team,” Miyares, a newly named campaign co-chairman, said in a written statement. He called Rubio “the only candidate capable of uniting the Republican party and winning in November.”
[Marco Rubio’s very big night in Iowa]
Like other presidential hopefuls, Rubio had previously announced a Virginia campaign team led by current and former politicians. He has had his share of big endorsements, such as former Republican governor and U.S. senator George Allen.
The list released Wednesday was not full of household names, but the campaign touted it as a sign of strength across a crucial swing state.
“We are excited to announce an outstanding team of leaders from across Virginia,” said Micah Johnson, a regional spokeswoman for the campaign. “As the only campaign that is organized in all 50 states, we are ready for the long haul, and earning the support of these key leaders will allow us to continue our momentum and earn the support of even more Virginians as we approach the March 1 primary.”
The new Rubio endorsements, as provided by the campaign:
Carey Allen, Vice Chair of Chesterfield County GOP, Chesterfield/James River District Soil & Water Conservation Director
Dr. Beldon Bell, Member, Fauquier County GOP Executive Committee; Trustee, Heritage Foundation
Glenn Bertsch, Loudoun County GOP Activist
Mike Brunner, Former Member, Arlington County Board of Supervisors
Rick Canton, Loudoun County GOP Activist
Robert Dyer, Member, Virginia Beach City Council
Kate Gaziano, Fairfax County GOP Activist
Marquis Gough, Student Leader, Patrick Henry College
JC Hernandez, Arlington County Republican
Jim Hoeft, Founder and Editor, Bearing Drift and LCDR, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Ashley Judah, Chair, Marymount University College Republicans
Randall Judt, Arlington County GOP Activist
Nancy Linton, Former Candidate, Fairfax County School Board
Jeremiah Lorrig, Issues Committee Chair, Loudoun County Young Republicans
Ed Lynch, Former Chair, Roanoke County GOP
Jason Miyares, Member, Virginia House of Delegates
Michael Monrroy, Chair, Loudoun County Young Republicans
Andrew Mullins, Vice Chair, Loudoun County Young Republicans
Davis Rennolds, Chair, Richmond City GOP
Jim Rich, Former Chair of 10th Cong. District & Former Chair of Fauquier County Republican Party
Debbie Rose, Loudoun County GOP Activist
Nancy Russell, Chair, Hanover County GOP
M. David Skiles, Fairfax County GOP
Stephanie Stockman Terrill, Loudoun County GOP Activist
Nicole Tardif, Treasurer, Loudoun County Young Republicans
Nikhil Verma, McLean Precinct Captain, Fairfax County Republican Committee
H. Lillian Vogl, Former Secretary, Fairfax County GOP
Lee Vogler, Member, Danville City Council
Ron Wright, Vice Chair of Finance, Fairfax County GOP
Sang Yi, Former Candidate, Virginia House of Delegates
Betsy Young, Chair, Danville County GOP