The Tea Party organization FreedomWorks has endorsed Adam Hasner in the Florida Senate race, The Daily Caller learned Monday. The endorsement will no doubt boost the conservative bona fides of Hasner, whose candidacy has been compared to Marco Rubio’s bid in 2010.
In an interview with The Daily Caller, Max Pappas, executive director of FreedomWorks PAC, said the organization sent an email to its 47,000 Florida members, asking whom they supported for Senate.
“The support for Hasner was overwhelming,” said Pappas. “He was clearly the guy our members liked.”
Pappas went on to tell TheDC that Hasner’s record in the state legislature likely played a role in the overwhelming support.
“He was the sort of go-to guy for years for the limited government crowd,” Pappas said of Hasner. “So our top activists down there had already worked with him.”
“[Hasner] had proven he was one of us,” Pappas added. (RNC wants probe into Obama fundraising video)
“I’m honored to have the endorsement of FreedomWorks,” said Hasner in a statement to TheDC. “I look forward to earning the individual support of the grassroots conservatives who make up the heart and soul of this organization that has done so much to promote freedom and pro-growth fiscal policies.“
“Our campaign is gaining support among Floridians because I’m speaking honestly about the challenges facing our country, and the kind of limited government leadership we need in Washington, DC,” he added.
The endorsement will boost Hasner’s conservative bona fides; some have already compared his candidacy to Marco Rubio’s successful 2010 Senate bid.
Citing conflicts between campaign obligations and family and legislative duties, Haridopolos’s exit means there will be even more room for Hasner to emerge as the clear conservative. In Pappas’ mind, the Hasner-LeMimieux match-up will be reminiscent of the contest between Rubio and then-Governor Charlie Crist in 2010.
“There’s gonna be a fight again,” said Pappas. “LeMieux’s got a decent establishment network.” (Leaders with Ginni Thomas: Sen. Marco Rubio)
The son of two Jewish Democrats, Hasner made the case from the very beginning that he is the only “authentic” and principled conservative in the race. In a previous interview with TheDC, Hasner claimed he is prepared to not only take on Democrats, but also Republicans who stray.
“I don’t blame just Democrats for the problems we face today,” Hasner said at the time. “I think Republican share in blame. That’s why we need leaders in Washington who will have courage to challenge both Democrats and Republicans.”