Rep. John Shadegg (R.-Ariz.) may have just picked up the biggest endorsement he'll get in the race to become House majority leader.
Today, the moderate/conservative team of Reps. Charlie Bass (R.-N.H.) and Jeff Flake (R.-Ariz.) threw their support to Shadegg. It was the decision of Bass and Flake to team up and criticize former Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R.-Tex.) that led to DeLay's decision not to seek his old job.
Here's the official press release:
Washington - "This shows again that this race is not about moderate versus conservative - it is a choice between real reform and the status quo," said Rep. John Shadegg about the endorsement today by Reps. Charlie Bass and Jeff Flake in the House Majority Leader race.
Shadegg, a late entrant in the race for Majority Leader, is quickly picking up support, including endorsements by Republicans Study Committee Chairman Mike Pence and Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner last week.
Bass and Flake, like Pence, had originally indicated that they would refrain from endorsing in a race between Blunt and Boehner, but Shadegg's entrance in the race changed that dynamic.
"These men - a moderate leader and a conservative leader - recognize that our party faces a crisis," Shadegg said. "They were out in front when it was a difficult thing to do. This a courageous decision based on conscience, and I sincerely appreciate their support.
"Support from these two leaders is an indicator of the broad support my candidacy has drawn from every part of our Republican Conference," Shadegg continued. "As Policy Chairman, I worked with members all across the Conference, regardless of ideology. If I elected Majority Leader I will continue to reach out to all my colleagues, moderate and conservative alike."
