Gingrich wins coveted Duke Cunningham endorsement

Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.) was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2006 after pleading guilty to accepting $2.4 million in bribes -- and a yacht to live on -- from a defense contractor. (Sandy Huffaker / Getty Images)

Jailed ex-Congressman Duke Cunningham wants Newt Gingrich to know he’s got the Republican presidential candidate’s back.

Cunningham apparently has been watching the Republican presidential primary debates while spending 100 months in a Tucson, Ariz. federal prison. Cunningham, a Republican who represented northern San Diego, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and tax evasion in 2005 in one of the biggest federal bribery scandals in recent memory.

Cunningham tells Gingrich in an electronic message he says he sent to the candidate last month that his fellow prisoners, and their families, support Gingrich:

Newt, a voice out of the past. Down but not out and still fighting. First I do not want anything from you but have been watching the debates. I have 80% of inmates that would vote for you. They might not be able to but their extended families will.

Full story: Duke to Newt: I’ve Got Your Back