2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Cofer Black Joins Romney For President

FORMER TOP COUNTERTERRORISM OFFICIAL COFER BLACK JOINS ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT

Boston, MA – Governor Mitt Romney today announced that Cofer Black, a former top counterterrorism official at the Central Intelligence Agency and State Department, has joined his campaign for President of the United States.  Black will serve as Senior Adviser for counterterrorism and national security issues. 

"I am pleased to welcome Cofer Black to our campaign.  He has a long and impressive career dedicated to making America safer and more secure in the world," said Governor Romney.  "Our country faces a new generation of challenges and Black's experience at the forefront of our nation's counterterrorism efforts will be a tremendous asset." 

Joining Romney for President, Cofer Black said, "Our country faces grave threats from abroad – threats that will require us to change our thinking, institutions and strategy if we are to prevail.  Governor Romney sees clearly the threat in front of us and will give our military and intelligence professionals the tools and leadership they need to ensure that America remains strong, free and prosperous."

Ovide Lamontagne Joins Romney For President In New Hampshire

OVIDE LAMONTAGNE JOINS ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced the endorsement of 1996 Republican nominee for Governor, Ovide Lamontagne.  Lamontagne will provide support and insight to the Romney campaign, assisting the campaign in its efforts to reach out to the business community and conservatives in the State and the region.

"I am proud to welcome Ovide to our team.  He has had an impressive career of service to his community and standing up time and again for sound conservative principles.  I know he will be a tremendous addition to our campaign," said Governor Romney.   

In joining Romney for President, Lamontagne said, "I have been impressed by Governor Romney's record of service and championing of important conservative principles.   During his term as Governor, he promoted fiscal responsibility, advanced the culture of life, and defended the institution of marriage.  He rightly recognizes that the source of America’s strength is rooted in strong families, safe communities and a commitment to traditional values.  I am honored to be a part of his team."

Romney Announces Support Of Wisconsin Social Conservative Leader Camille Solberg

GOVERNOR ROMNEY ANNOUNCES SUPPORT OF WISCONSIN SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE LEADER CAMILLE SOLBERG

Boston, MA – Governor Mitt Romney today announced that Camille Solberg, a prominent social conservative leader in Wisconsin, will be joining his campaign for President of the United States. 

Solberg most recently served as President of the Wisconsin Coalition for Traditional Marriage where she led the successful ballot initiative to defend traditional marriage.  This initiative passed with nearly 60% of the vote.  She is currently editor of the Wisconsin Christian News.

"I am proud to have Camille's support.  For years, she has been a leader in defending traditional marriage and strengthening the American family.  Every day, she continues to build on her impressive career of standing for sound conservative principles.  I am pleased that she has joined our team," said Governor Romney.

With today's announcement, Camille Solberg said, "Governor Romney has a strong record on the issues that matter most to social conservative voters.  Facing unprecedented challenges to some of our most basic values, he acted to promote a culture of life, defend traditional marriage and strengthen the family.  His is a record of action and a platform social conservatives can and are supporting.  I am honored to be a part of his team."

Mitt Romney Names New Hampshire Statewide Finance Committee

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY NAMES NEW HAMPSHIRE STATEWIDE FINANCE COMMITTEE

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced seven members of his New Hampshire Statewide Finance Committee.  These New Hampshire community and business leaders will help Governor Romney expand his base of support in the state and raise the resources needed to be competitive throughout the election process.

"New Hampshire has the distinction of being first in the nation for their primary, and this is a first rate team to go along with that designation.  I am grateful to have these leaders on my team as I discuss how to address a new generation of challenges and keep our county strong," said Governor Romney. 

With today's announcement, State Chair Bruce Keough said, "This outstanding group of New Hampshire leaders will help deliver the support needed to make New Hampshire Romney country.  We've already seen the results of their hard work.  Combined with Governor Romney's optimistic vision for the future, they raised more money from New Hampshire residents than all other candidates in the first quarter.  Together, our team will continue to work to make sure Governor Romney has the resources he needs to bring real change to Washington."

Florida Legislators Endorse Mitt Romney

FLORIDA LEGISLATORS ENDORSE GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY

Boston, MA – During a visit to Tallahassee today to meet with state and local leaders, Governor Mitt Romney announced that 10 Florida legislators have endorsed his candidacy for President.  These members of the Florida State Legislature include State Senators JD Alexander, Carey Baker and Stephen R. Wise as well as State Representatives Marti Coley, James C. Frishe, Michael J. Grant, Alan Hays, Ed Hooper, Trey Traviesa and Trudi Williams.

"I am proud to have the support of these respected and accomplished lawmakers," said Governor Romney.  "Through Republican leadership, Florida has become a national model for translating conservative principles into successful policies.  We showed the same type of discipline in Massachusetts and that is exactly what is needed now in Washington.  I look forward to sharing my vision with Floridians as we discuss the solutions needed to meet a new generation of challenges."

These leaders join a strong and growing Florida organization that includes an accomplished Florida Steering Committee and a Florida Statewide Finance Team comprised of nearly 80 business and community leaders from across the state.  The Florida Steering Committee is chaired by former Lieutenant Governor Toni Jennings, former Speakers of the House Allan Bense and John Thrasher, former Chairman of the Florida Republican Party Al Cardenas and U.S. Congressman Tom Feeney.

Additional Florida legislators who have endorsed Governor Romney include State Representatives Dennis Baxley, Jennifer Carroll, Anitere Flores and Dick Kravitz.  Former Senator and Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida Van Poole and former Representative Dudley Goodlette have also endorsed Governor Romney.  Each serves as a Co-Chair of Governor Romney's Steering Committee.

Mitt Romney Announces Support Of Charles H. Bronson

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES SUPPORT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES COMMISSIONER CHARLES H. BRONSON

Boston, MA - Governor Mitt Romney today announced that Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has endorsed his campaign for President of the United States.

"I am tremendously pleased to welcome Commissioner Bronson to our campaign team here in Florida," said Governor Romney. "As a fifth-generation Floridian and leader of the largest state Department of Agriculture in the country, Commissioner Bronson's support and counsel will be invaluable in this critical state. We both agree that it is time to bring needed change to Washington, change that will only happen with innovation and transformation."

Commissioner Bronson joins a strong and growing organization in Florida, which includes a Steering Committee comprised of accomplished and respected state leaders and a Statewide Finance Team of more than 80 successful business and community leaders. The Florida Steering Committee is led by former Lt. Governor Toni Jennings, former Speakers of the House Allan Bense and John Thrasher, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida Al Cardenas and U.S. Congressman Tom Feeney.

"Governor Romney's fresh and optimistic vision for our country, combined with his record of action as a businessman, President of the 2002 Winter Olympics and Governor of Massachusetts, has convinced me he is the right choice to tackle the new set of global challenges we face," said Commissioner Bronson. "Instead of typical campaign rhetoric, Governor Romney has proposed clear, bold and innovative solutions for our future based on conservative principles, including plans to strengthen our military, protect American taxpayers, bring fiscal discipline back to Washington and encourage the use of cleaner, more efficient energy sources. Governor Romney is the right choice for Florida and the right choice for America."

Debi Durham Supports Romney For President

FORMER IOWA LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR NOMINEE DEBI DURHAM SUPPORTS ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT

Boston, MA – Governor Mitt Romney today announced that former Lieutenant Governor candidate Debi Durham has endorsed his campaign for President of the United States.

Durham, who currently heads the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce in Sioux City, was on the Republican gubernatorial ticket in 2002.  She will chair the Romney for President campaign in Woodbury County.

"Debi Durham is a committed community leader and I am proud to announce her support," said Governor Romney.  "She understands the new generation of challenges this nation faces, and each day she works to ensure that Siouxland is competitive in the marketplace.  I look forward to working with her as I share my vision for a smaller, more limited government in Washington." 

With today's announcement, Debi Durham said, "Within the field of candidates seeking our nation's highest office, only Governor Romney has the executive experience needed to bring real change to Washington.  Our President must be a decisive leader experienced in leading institutions forward.  Governor Romney has that experience and I am proud to endorse his candidacy."

Romney For President Announces Scott County Leadership Team

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES SCOTT COUNTY LEADERSHIP TEAM

Boston, MA – Romney for President today announced its Scott County Leadership Team, which includes current and former elected officials, and long-time local party activists.

Governor Romney will speak at a Scott County Romney for President campaign reception tonight in Bettendorf. 

"This is an experienced, motivated team of individuals, and I am pleased to welcome them to Governor Romney's campaign," said Gentry Collins, Iowa Campaign Manager.  "I look forward to working with them in Scott County to share Governor Romney's message of limited government and change in Washington.  Their experience and support will be valuable to our campaign."

Chairing the campaign in Scott County will be former House District 85 candidate Roby Smith.

"Governor Romney is a strong, conservative leader who has continually overcome the obstacles before him in order to make our country a better place to raise a family," said Smith.  "I share his conservative principles, and believe that if we are going to see true change in Washington, Mitt Romney needs to be our next president." 

The Romney For President Scott County Leadership Team:

Former House District 85 Candidate Roby Smith – Chair
State Representative Linda Miller
Former 1st District Congressional Candidate Brian Kennedy
Greg Adamson
Carol Crain
Jason Gordon
Paul Janecek
Vincie Metcalf
Jane Murphy

Mark Anderson To Co-Chair Mitt Romney's Arizona Campaign

STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARK ANDERSON TO CO-CHAIR GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY'S ARIZONA CAMPAIGN

Boston, MA – Governor Mitt Romney today announced that Arizona State Representative Mark Anderson will Co-Chair his campaign in Arizona. Representative Anderson will work closely with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, State Senator Chuck Gray and Governor Romney's Finance Committee to continue to expand the Governor's base of support in the Grand Canyon State. Sheriff Arpaio is serving as Governor Romney's Honorary Chairman for Arizona while Senator Gray is serving as Chair.

Governor Romney's Arizona campaign also announced that it had eclipsed state fundraising goals and raised $697,082 in total receipts for the first fundraising quarter.

"For many years, Mark Anderson has been a faithful and effective voice for conservative values in the Arizona State Legislature," said Governor Romney. "I am pleased that he has decided to join my growing campaign and look forward to working with him as we add to our strength in Arizona and across the nation."

With today's announcement, Representative Anderson said, "Governor Romney is an impressive leader with a proven track record of accomplishment. On national defense, economic competitiveness and the important moral matters of our day, Governor Romney has the vision and the conservative principles needed to guide America forward."

Mitt Romney Statement On Today's Supreme Court Ruling

STATEMENT ON TODAY'S SUPREME COURT RULING

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney issued the following statement praising the U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act:

"Today, our nation's highest court reaffirmed the value of life in America by upholding a ban on a practice that offends basic human decency.  This decision represents a step forward in protecting the weakest and most innocent among us."