Rubio lands fifth lawmaker endorsement

Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.) announced his support for Sen. Marco Rubio for president on Monday, giving the Florida Republican his fifth endorsement from a lawmaker on Capitol Hill.

{mosads}“As the son of a bartender and a hotel maid, Marco Rubio understands the importance of preserving the American Dream for future generations better than anyone else, and I’m proud to endorse him for President,” Rokita said in a statement first obtained by The Hill. “Marco’s uplifting vision for a New American Century is what our country needs and I look forward to helping him in the Hoosier State.”

Rubio has also been endorsed by Reps. Austin Scott (R-Ga.), John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), Chris Stewart (R-Utah), and Thomas Rooney (R-Fla.). Rooney is so far the only member of the House Republican delegation from Florida to back Rubio over his in-state rival, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Bush leads all of the Republican candidates in lawmaker endorsements, having landed support from three senators and 20 members of the House, including 11 of Florida’s 17 Republican representatives.

While Bush leads Rubio in establishment support and has raised more money, Rubio has moved slightly past Bush in the polls since the last Republican debate.

Rubio now sits in fourth place nationally at 9.5 percent support, according to the RealClearPolitics average, followed by Bush, at 8.3 percent.

Three political newcomers — brash billionaire Donald Trump, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and former businesswoman Carly Fiorina — lead the GOP pack.