2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Mitt Romney Announces North Carolina Endorsements

Mitt Romney Announces North Carolina Endorsements

Today, Mitt Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC announced the endorsement of the following five North Carolina candidates and that it is sending them a total of $15,000 in contributions:

Senator Richard Burr: Richard Burr currently serves as a U.S. Senator in North Carolina and is running for reelection.
 
Congressman Howard Coble: Howard Coble currently represents the 6th Congressional District of North Carolina and is running for reelection.
 
Congresswoman Virginia Foxx: Virginia Foxx currently represents the 5th Congressional District of North Carolina and is running for reelection.
 
Harold Johnson: Harold Johnson, a former broadcast journalist, is now running to represent the 8th Congressional District of North Carolina.
 
Jeff Miller: Jeff Miller, a businessman and community leader, is now running to represent the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina.
 
The PAC also announced that is sending Senator Burr a $5,000 contribution toward his Senate campaign, and that it is sending Congressman Coble, Congresswoman Foxx, Johnson, and Miller each a $2,500 contribution toward their respective Congressional campaigns.
 
 “Rather than focusing on putting people back to work and enacting policies that will restore our economy, too many of our leaders are instead focused on growing the size of government. It is more important than ever that we elect leaders who will say no to the Washington culture of higher spending, higher taxes, and higher debt, and that is why I am endorsing these candidates today,” said Romney.

Mitt Romney Endorses Karen Handel For Georgia Governor

Romney endorses Karen Handel for Georgia Governor

Today, Mitt Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC endorsed Karen Handel for Georgia Governor.

“A successful businesswoman and public servant, Karen Handel’s blend of executive, political, and business experience is just what Georgia needs at this critical time.  The leadership skills that she has honed in both the private and public sectors will enable her to make tough decisions and enact the reforms needed to get the economy back on track and foster job creation,” said Romney.

Romney’s PAC has also sent Handel’s campaign a $1,000 contribution.

Mitt Romney’s Free And Strong America PAC Raises Over $1.8 Million And Contributes Nearly $350,000 In Second Quarter Of 2010

Mitt Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC Raises over $1.8 Million and Contributes Nearly $350,000 in Second Quarter of 2010
Mitt Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC today filed its finance report with the Federal Election Commission and reported raising $1,504,989.71 in the second quarter of 2010.

Mitt Romney’s PAC also has five state affiliates in Alabama, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, which raised an additional $329,700 during the same period, bringing total PAC second quarter fundraising to $1,834,689.71.  Combined first and second quarter fundraising for the federal and state PACs totaled $3,438,978.41.

Mitt Romney formed the Free and Strong America PAC to promote Republican candidates and conservative causes around the country through speeches, political appearances and financial support.  In the second quarter of 2010, Republican candidates and conservative causes received $270,552.04 in support from the federal PAC and an additional $79,050 from the state PACs, totaling $349,602.04.  Combined first and second quarter contributions totaled $408,444.30.

Contributions included $42,000 to Nikki Haley’s gubernatorial campaign in South Carolina, $20,000 to Terry Branstad’s gubernatorial campaign in Iowa, and $10,000 to Texas Governor Rick Perry’s reelection campaign. 

“Republicans have an opportunity to make significant gains in the 2010 elections.  The reason is because people are fed up with overspending, deficits, higher taxes and the lack of jobs. Our PAC is supporting candidates who are opposed to President Obama’s job-killing tax and spend agenda and committed to putting our nation on the right track,” said Romney.

In the first two quarters of 2010, the PAC has supported over 150 Republican candidates and conservative causes in states across the country including Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia.

Mitt Romney Announces New Jersey Endorsements

Mitt Romney Announces New Jersey Endorsements

Today, Mitt Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC announced the endorsement of the following New Jersey candidates:

Congressman Leonard Lance:  Leonard Lance currently represents the 7th Congressional District of New Jersey and is running for reelection.

Mayor Anna Little:  Anna Little currently serves as the Mayor of the Borough of Highlands, New Jersey and is now running to represent New Jersey’s 6th Congressional District. 

Jon Runyan:  Jon Runyan, a former professional football player, is now running to represent New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District.

Scott Sipprelle:  Scott Sipprelle, a successful businessman, is now running to represent the 12th Congressional District of New Jersey.

The PAC also announced that is sending Lance, Little, Runyan, and Sipprelle each a $2,500 contribution toward their respective Congressional campaigns.

“Rather than working to enact policies that will restore our economy and put people back to work, too many of our elected officials are instead enacting policies that are stalling our economic recovery.  New Jersey – and our nation – needs leaders like Lance, Little, Runyan, and Sipprelle who will stand up to the Washington culture of higher spending, higher taxes, and higher debt, and focus on turning our economy around,” said Romney.

Mitt Romney Announces South Dakota Endorsements

Mitt Romney Announces South Dakota Endorsements

Today, Mitt Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC announced the endorsement of the following South Dakota candidates:
 
Lieutenant Governor Dennis Daugaard:  Dennis Daugaard currently serves as Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota, and is now running for Governor

State Representative Kristi Noem:  Kristi Noem currently represents District 6 in the South Dakota House of Representatives, where she serves as the Assistant Majority Leader.  She is also a small business owner and is now running to represent South Dakota’s Congressional District.
 
The PAC also announced that is sending Daugaard a $5,000 contribution toward his gubernatorial campaign, and that it has sent Noem a $2,500 contribution toward her Congressional campaign.
 
Of his endorsement of Lieutenant Governor Dennis Daugaard’s gubernatorial campaign, Romney said:
 
“Instead of growing our economy, too many of our leaders are focused on growing the size of government.   We need leaders like Dennis Daugaard who will put the interests of hardworking Americans first, and say no to reckless spending and higher taxes.”
 
Of his endorsement of Kristi Noem’s Congressional campaign, Romney said:
 
 “Far too many of our elected officials have forgotten that service is a key part of public service. A small business owner, and experienced rancher and farmer, Kristi Noem understands South Dakota and its values, and will restore its voice to the U.S. House.”

Mitt Romney Announces Maine Endorsements

Mitt Romney Announces Maine Endorsements
Mitt Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC announced the endorsement of the following Maine candidates:

Mayor Paul LePage:  Paul LePage, a mayor and businessman, is now running to become Maine’s next Governor.
 
Jason Levesque:  Jason Levesque, a civic leader and successful entrepreneur, is running to represent Maine’s 2nd Congressional District.
 
Dean Scontras:  Dean Scontras, a successful businessman, is running to represent Maine’s 1st Congressional District.
 
The PAC also announced that it is sending LePage a maximum $750 contribution toward his gubernatorial campaign, and that it is sending Levesque and Scontras each a $2,500 contribution toward their respective Congressional campaigns.
 
“Too many of our leaders today are more focused on growing the size of government than growing our economy.  That is why we need leaders like Paul LePage, Jason Levesque, and Dean Scontras who will say no to higher spending, higher debt, and higher taxes, and work to turn our economy around,” said Romney.

Mitt Romney Announces Utah Endorsements

Mitt Romney Announces Utah Endorsements

Governor Romney issued the following statement on last night’s primary election in Utah: 
 
“Last night, the people of Utah voted and chose Mike Lee as the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate.  He will be a strong voice for Utah – and the nation – in the fight against the Washington culture of higher taxes, higher spending, and higher debt, and I am proud to stand with him today.  Mike Lee is part of a strong group of Utah candidates including Governor Gary Herbert, Congressman Rob Bishop, Congressman Jason Chaffetz, and Morgan Philpot who will fight every day to put people back to work and get our economy back on track.”
 
Mitt Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC announced the endorsement of the following Utah candidates today, and is sending them a total of $12,500 in campaign contributions:
 
Governor Gary Herbert:  Gary Herbert currently serves as the Governor of Utah and is running for reelection.
 
Mike Lee:  Mike Lee, an attorney who previously served as General Counsel to Governor Huntsman, a clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Alito, and an Assistant U.S. Attorney, is now running for U.S. Senate in Utah.

Congressman Rob Bishop:  Rob Bishop currently represents Utah’s 1st Congressional District and is running for reelection.
 
Congressman Jason Chaffetz:  Jason Chaffetz currently represents Utah’s 3rd Congressional District and is running for reelection.
 
Morgan Philpot:  Morgan Philpot, previously served the people of Utah as a State Representative and is now running to represent Utah’s 2nd Congressional District. 
 
The PAC is sending the following contributions to each of the federal candidates: $5,000 to Lee’s U.S. Senate campaign, and $2,500 each to the Congressional campaigns of Bishop, Chaffetz, and Philpot.

Romney Congratulates Nikki Haley On Primary Victory And Announces Additional South Carolina Endorsements

Romney Congratulates Nikki Haley on Primary Victory and Announces additional South Carolina endorsements
 
Governor Mitt Romney issued the following statement on Nikki Haley’s primary runoff election victory last night:
 
“Against the longest of odds, Nikki Haley took on the political establishment and won. Nikki's conservative reform message resonated throughout the state of South Carolina because she is committed to fiscal discipline and is not tied to the old way of doing things. Putting her in the governor's office will represent real progress in the effort to control government spending and restore the free market principles that have built and guided our nation.”
 
Mitt Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC also announced three additional endorsements in South Carolina.  They are as follows:
 
Senator Jim DeMint:  Senator Jim DeMint currently serves the people of South Carolina in the U.S. Senate and is running for reelection.
 
State Senator Mick Mulvaney:  A current member of the South Carolina State Senate, businessman, and attorney, Mick Mulvaney is running to represent South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District.
 
State Representative Tim Scott:  A current member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, Tim Scott is running to represent South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District.

The PAC also announced that it is sending Scott’s Congressional campaign a $2,500 contribution, and that it has already contributed $5,000 to DeMint’s U.S. Senate campaign and $2,500 to Mulvaney’s Congressional campaign.
 
“Instead of working to strengthen our economy, President Obama and the liberals in Congress are more interested in growing government.  Whether it's a costly stimulus bill, auto company bailouts, cap-and-trade, job-killing card check legislation, or a health care law that imposes higher taxes, cuts Medicare, and contains insurance price controls, they have come down on the side of big government over and over again.  That is why it is critical that we elect leaders like DeMint, Mulvaney, and Scott who will focus on getting our economy back on track,” said Romney.

Mitt Romney Announces North Dakota Endorsements

Mitt Romney Announces North Dakota Endorsements

Mitt Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC announced the endorsement of the following North Dakota candidates. 
 
Governor John Hoeven:  John Hoeven currently serves as the Governor of North Dakota and is now running for U.S. Senate.
 
State Representative Rick Berg:  Rick Berg served the people of North Dakota as a State Representative for over 25 years and is now running to represent North Dakota’s Congressional District.
 
The PAC also announced that is sending Hoeven a $5,000 contribution toward his U.S. Senate campaign and Berg a $2,500 contribution toward his Congressional campaign.
 
 “Rather than taking steps to turn our economy around, too many of our leaders are instead enacting policies that are hurting small business and stalling our economic recovery.  We need leaders who will fight for lower taxes, less government, and reduced spending, and that is why I am endorsing these candidates today,” said Romney.
 
These endorsements are another in a series of state rollouts of the PAC’s 2010 endorsements, which are aimed at electing conservative candidates who will work to lower taxes and spending, restore commonsense principles to healthcare and get our economy moving again. As part of this program, Romney’s PAC also has announced endorsements in Ohio, Missouri, California, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Nevada, Illinois, Georgia, Texas, Indiana, Idaho, New Mexico, Virginia, and Florida.

Mitt Romney Announces Florida Endorsements, Including Bill McCollum For Governor

Mitt Romney Announces Florida Endorsements, Including Bill McCollum For Governor

Today, Mitt Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC announced the endorsement of Bill McCollum for Governor of Florida.  It also announced that it is sending a $5,000 contribution to the Florida Republican Party to assist with its efforts.

Bill McCollum currently serves as Florida’s Attorney General. McCollum has a record as a principled conservative leader who has always fought for lower taxes, less government and traditional values, and I'm proud to support him as Florida's next governor," Romney said. "It's time to return true conservative leadership to the Florida Governor's Mansion. Bill's plan to create more than 500,000 new jobs, cut bureaucratic regulation and attract more businesses is exactly what is needed to jumpstart Florida's economy."

Romney’s announcement is a follow-up to his April endorsement of Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate. There are 13 other Florida candidates receiving endorsements from Romney’s PAC today. They are:

Congressman Ander Crenshaw:  Ander Crenshaw currently represents the 4th Congressional District of Florida and is running for reelection.

Congressman Connie Mack:  Connie Mack currently represents the 14th Congressional District of Florida and is running for reelection.

Congressman Tom Rooney:  Tom Rooney currently represents the 16th Congressional District of Florida and is running for reelection.

Senate President Jeff Atwater:  Jeff Atwater currently serves as Senate President in the Florida State Senate and is now running to become Florida’s Chief Financial Officer. 

Congressman Adam Putnam:  Adam Putnam currently represents the 12th Congressional District of Florida and is now running to become Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture. 

State Senator Don Gaetz:  Don Gaetz currently serves the people of Florida’s 4th District in the State Senate and is running for reelection.

State Senator Mike Haridopolos:  Mike Haridopolos currently serves the people of Florida’s 26th District in the State Senate and is running for reelection.

State Senator John Thrasher:  John Thrasher currently serves the people of Florida’s 8th District in the State Senate and is running for reelection.

State Representative Anitere Flores:  Anitere Flores currently serves in the Florida House of Representatives and is now running to serve the people of Florida’s 38th District in the State Senate.

State Representative Dean Cannon:  Dean Cannon currently represents the people of Florida’s 35th District in the Florida House of Representatives and is running for reelection.

State Representative Jennifer Carroll:  Jennifer Carroll currently represents the people of Florida’s 13th District in the Florida House of Representatives and is running for reelection.

State Representative Will Weatherford:  Will Weatherford currently represents the people of Florida’s 61st District in the Florida House of Representatives and is running for reelection.

Dennis Baxley:  Dennis Baxley previously served the people of Florida’s 24th District in the Florida House of Representatives and is running to reclaim his seat.

The PAC also announced that it is sending Congressmen Crenshaw and Rooney each a $2,500 contribution toward their respective Congressional campaigns and that it has already sent Congressman Mack a $2,500 contribution toward his Congressional campaign.  In addition, the PAC announced that it is contributing $250 to Senate President Atwater’s campaign to become Florida’s next Chief Financial Officer and $250 to Congressman Putnam’s campaign to become Florida’s next Commissioner of Agriculture.  

“The people of Florida are fortunate to have so many strong candidates who are committed to getting our economy back on track.  It is essential that we elect leaders who are committed to creating a pro-growth and pro-jobs environment, and that is why I am pleased to endorse these candidates today,” said Romney.

Today’s endorsements are another in a series of state rollouts of the PAC’s 2010 endorsements, which are aimed at electing conservative candidates who will work to lower taxes and spending, restore commonsense principles to healthcare and get our economy moving again. As part of this program, Romney’s PAC has announced endorsements in Ohio, Missouri, California, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Nevada, Illinois, Georgia, Texas, Indiana, Idaho, New Mexico, and Virginia.