Mike Haridopolos endorses Erin Huntley for HD 45

Republican Erin Huntley is adding another high-profile endorsement to her bid for House District 45, this time from U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos.

Haridopolos is backing Huntley’s campaign to flip the Central Florida seat currently held by Democratic state Rep. Leonard Spencer, praising the Orange County GOP Chair as a conservative who can “build consensus and get things done.”

“During my time as Senate President and as Congressman, we proved that strong conservative leadership and real results go hand in hand. Florida needs leaders who can fight for our values while also building consensus and getting things done — and Erin Huntley is exactly that kind of leader,” Haridopolos said.

“She’ll be a tireless advocate for families in District 45 and a strong conservative voice in the Florida House. I am proud to endorse her campaign.”

Huntley said she was honored to receive support from Haridopolos, who represented Brevard County in the Florida Senate before winning election to Congress last year.

“I’m honored to have Congressman Mike Haridopolos’ endorsement and grateful for his confidence in our campaign,” Huntley said. “Mike has been a proven conservative leader for Florida, and I look forward to bringing that same results-driven leadership to Tallahassee for the families of District 45.”

The endorsement adds to a growing list of Republican backers Huntley has amassed in the race, including U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Attorney General James Uthmeier and several Republican state lawmakers.

Before facing Spencer in the November General Election, Huntley must first defeat Raleigh “Lee” Steinhauer in the Aug. 18 Republican Primary.

Campaign finance reports show Huntley holding a sizable cash advantage in the contest, with roughly $160,000 on hand in her campaign account and another $62,000 in her political committee, Conservative Solutions for Florida.

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Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics contributed to this report.