Cruz, Rand, Rubio sign letter praising DeMint: report

GOP Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas), Rand Paul (Ky.) and Marco Rubio (Fla.) are voicing support for Jim DeMint amid reports that the former South Carolina senator is being ousted from his role as head of the conservative Heritage Foundation.

“You have inspired new generation of leaders — at every level of government and society — to step forward and stand boldly behind the principles that have fostered the development of the greatest civilization the world has ever known,” the three Republicans wrote in a draft of a letter to Heritage’s board of trustees expected to go public Wednesday.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) co-wrote the message, The New York Post reported Monday, alongside Rep. Mark Walker (N.C.), chairman of the House Republican Study Committee.

{mosads}In all, 47 Republicans had signed on by 9:30 p.m. Monday.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) has also signed the letter, as have House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (N.C.) and Reps. Jim Jordan (Ohio) and Jeb Hensarling (Texas).

DeMint was reportedly ousted from Heritage for feuding with Mike Needham, the CEO of Heritage Action, the group’s lobbying arm.

“We think they’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who can do better than him,” a Senate source told the Post.

Edwin Feulner, a founding trustee of the organization, will serve as its interim leader after a previous stint as its president.

Updated 9:30 p.m.