Congressman Jeff Flake

Libertarian Republican Rep. Jeff Flake endorses Romney

By Eric Dondero on | From libertarianrepublican.net

Top Libertarian in Congress passes over Perry and Paul

From Eric Dondero:

Rep. Jeff Flake of Arizona is arguably the most libertarian member of congress. He had a perfect libertarian voting record in the annual Liberty Index for 2010. His NTU and Club For Growth scores are always at the very top. Flake is also a cultural libertarian. He spent a month on a survivalist quest in 2009 on a deserted island in the Pacific.

Now he's backing Mitt Romney for president, over frontrunner Rick Perry, but also over his fellow Representative Ron Paul of Texas.

From Deseret News:

Former Gov. of Massachusetts and Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney picked up an important endorsement from Arizona Rep. Jeff Flake this morning. Congressman Flake, a Republican and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is currently in the House of Representatives but is expected to win Arizona's vacated Senate seat.

"Mitt Romney has the experience and vision to get our country on the right path again,” said Flake, in his statement endorsing Romney. “Whether it was his time as governor or as a successful businessman, Mitt Romney has shown that he has the economic knowledge to create the environment for businesses to start hiring again."

Politico called the endorsement “a great get,” as the state of Arizona has “become way more important since officially moving its (GOP presidential) primary up to February 28.”

Romney was indeed pleased with the endorsement.

"I am proud to announce Congressman Flake's support," said Romney. "Having such a strong advocate for the taxpayer on my Arizona team will be crucial as I reach out to voters across the state and spread my pro-growth message."

The first reaction out of the gate from the Ron Paul side, cynicism over the unexpected endorsement. One Paulist site goes so far as to call Flake an "establishment" Republiclan.

From the Paulist blog Purple Serf:

When the rubber meets the road, Romney is peeling out. Mitt received some Big Love from fellow Republican Jeff Flake today adding fuel to establishment support along with the capitulation of Tim Pawlenty who as of last week permanently subdued his criticism of Obamneycare and jumped on board with the former Governor of Massachusetts.

Photo credit - Mitt Romney, People.com