Politics

Romney wins support of tea party favorite Sen. Mike Lee

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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Mitt Romney picked up the support over the weekend of Utah Sen. Mike Lee, a favorite lawmaker of tea party activists.

Lee — who had never held office before — was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010. His support for Romney in the Republican presidential race is a big get for the former Massachusetts governor, who has struggled to win over the conservative grassroots.

“Mike has been fighting on the frontlines to repeal Obamacare and restore fiscal sanity in Washington,” Romney said.

In a statement, Lee said, “If Republicans want to repeal President Obama’s unconstitutional health care plan, restore limited government and individual liberty, they must unite behind Mitt Romney.”

“He is the one candidate who will be able to win in November and implement policies that conservatives like me have been fighting for in the Senate,” Lee said.

Also on Monday, Romney’s campaign announced that House Republican Whip Kevin McCarthy is backing him for president.

McCarthy called on Republicans “to unite and work together if we plan to take back the White House.”

“After a long and grueling primary, it is clear that Mitt Romney is the best candidate to face President Obama and fix the mess of his one and only term,” McCarthy said.

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