By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Social Conservative champion former Republican Senator and presidential candidate Rick Santorum endorsed former American Spectator columnist Quin Hillyer for Congress in the First Congressional District. Sen. Santorum was the winner of the 2012 Alabama Republican presidential primary defeating eventual Republican nominee Governor Mitt Romney and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. Today the former Senator is the Chairman of Patriot Voices PAC.
Chairman Santorum said in a written statement, “Patriot Voices PAC enthusiastically endorses Quin Hillyer for Congress in Alabama’s first district. I’ve gotten to know Quin over the last few years and have been enormously impressed with his willingness to fearlessly and without hesitation advance the conservative cause. As a critic of Washington business-as-usual, Quin will bring that same courageous approach as an advocate for free markets, limited government and reform of the welfare and tax system to Congress.”
Santorum said, “Washington needs folks like Quin who understand that we must strengthen our economy, stand up for traditional values and promote American exceptionalism. I look forward to joining Quin on the campaign trail and sharing with Alabamians why he is the right conservative for this important House seat.”
Quin Hillyer said in a prepared statement, “When I arrived on Capitol Hill as a top staffer in 1991, freshman Representative Rick Santorum was the most courageous and exciting young advocate in Congress for ethics reform, a balanced budget, and welfare reform. Years later, I came to know him personally when we happened to work in the same building for different organizations pushing conservative ideas, and I was struck by two things: his passion for free-market approaches specifically benefiting American workers and, second, by his deep interest in helping special-needs children. He’s one of the most authentically good and decent men I’ve ever come across in politics. For all those reasons, I am grateful to have Senator Santorum’s support. It means my campaign has begun with a rocket boost of momentum.”
Hillyer and State Representative Randy Davis (R) from Daphne are currently the only announced candidates for the seat in Congress currently held by U.S. Representative Jo Bonner (R) from Mobile. As many as 15 other persons have told the press that they are considering running to represent the First Congressional District. Bonner announced on Thursday that he was resigning the position to accept a new position with the University of Alabama system.
