Huckabee Backs Rivera

On Wednesday, Huckabee announced that he and his political action committee would back state Representative David Rivera (R) in the battleground seat that is being opened up by Rep. Mario Diaz Balart’s (R) decision to run in the 21st district this fall.

In his announcement, Huckabee praised Rivera, who is up against former Marine officer Paul Crespo and attorney Marili Cancio in the primary, as “the type of candidate that has consistently brought much-needed energy, enthusiasm and expertise to Florida politics.

The National Republican Congressional Committee, which quickly boosted Rivera to the top tier of its Young Guns candidate development program after he filed in late February, would likely agree on that point.

But the committee isn’t likely to concur with Huckabee when he heralded some of the other Florida House Republicans he has endorsed this cycle.

“Our country is in a difficult spot right now and we must send our best to Washington if we want to turn things around,” Huckabee said. “That is why I’ve endorsed strong, Florida conservatives who have decided to dedicate themselves to public service.”

In the 8th district seat that is at the top of GOP target lists, Huckabee is supporting former state Senate Majority Leader Daniel Webster (R). But the NRCC recruited businessman Bruce O’Donoghue (R) into that contest in the hopes of defeating controversial and outspoken Rep. Alan Grayson (D) this fall.

In the neighboring 24th district held by Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D), Huckabee has endorsed Winter Park City Commissioner Karen Diebel (R). The NRCC was keen on Diebel early on but has since been more enthusiastic about businessman Craig Miller in that battleground seat.

Huckabee and the NRCC are both backing former state Rep. Dennis Ross (R) in the Republican leaning open seat in the 12th district.

Click here to read the full story.