CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS ENDORSE JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that California State Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines (R-Fresno) and members of the California State Assembly have endorsed John McCain for president.

"As a lifelong conservative and the Republican Leader of the California State Assembly, I strongly support Senator John McCain for President of the United States of America," said Republican Leader Villines. "During this time of uncertainty, we need a leader who will take strong action to jumpstart our economy, provide tax relief to hard working families and protect our nation from Islamic extremists. Senator McCain has long been a champion of getting government spending under control. He has led the fight in Congress against federal earmarks and will continue to advocate for fiscal responsibility. As President, Senator McCain will continue to make significant progress in the War on Terror and make our country a better, safer place for our children, which I believe is a defining issue of this election. I wholeheartedly endorse Senator John McCain and look forward to working with him to ensure victory in November."

John McCain thanked Republican Leader Villines and the Assembly members for their support, stating, "I admire Mike and his fellow Assembly Republicans for their commitment to our shared conservative principles and devoted public service to the people of California, and I am grateful for their support. In this campaign, I intend to contest California and every corner of America, uniting our Party for victory in November."

CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY LEADERS SUPPORTING JOHN MCCAIN

Michael N. Villines
Assembly Republican Leader, 29th District

George Plescia
Assemblyman, 75th District

Van Tran
Assemblyman, 68th District

Greg Aghazarian
Assemblyman, 26th District

John Benoit
Assemblyman, 64th District

Tom Berryhill
Assemblyman, 26th District

Cameron Smyth
Assemblyman, 38th District

Anthony Adams
Assemblyman, 59th District

Sam Blakeslee
Assembly 33rd District

Paul Cook
Assemblyman, 65th District

Bonnie Garcia
Assemblywoman, 80th District

Shirley Horton
Assemblywoman, 78th District

Alan Nakanishi
Assemblyman, 10th District

Bill Emmerson
Assemblyman, 63rd District

Sharon Runner
Assemblywoman, 36th District

Jim Silva
Assemblyman, 67th District

Doug LaMalfa
Assemblyman, 2nd District

Joel Anderson
Assemblyman, 77th District

Roger Niello
Assemblyman, 5th District

Ted Gaines
Assemblyman, 4th District

The California State Assembly members endorsing John McCain signed the following letter endorsing John McCain for president:

"We, the undersigned members of the Republican Caucus of the California State Assembly proudly endorse Senator John McCain for President of the United States of America.

"Now is the time for Republicans and all Americans to unite behind John McCain to lead out country into the future. Americans will have a clear choice in November: freedom and opportunity or retreat and taxes.

"John McCain knows the importance of winning the War of Terror. There is no more important issues of our time than terrorism. John McCain has been a strong supporter of our nation's troops and as President he will be committed to defeating terrorists who wish to eliminate our way of life. He is not deterred by those on the other side of the aisle who are calling for an immediate withdrawal of troops and want to employ a cut-and-run strategy. He knows the stakes are too high and American lives are at risk.

John McCain will also turn our economy around and work to end wasteful government spending. He has worked to reduce spending at the federal level and has advocated against government earmarks.

"Senator McCain understands the importance of providing tax relief to hard-working families. He believes that the only way to make the government live within its means is to keep money with those who earned it in the first place-the taxpayers.

"His Democratic opponents, however, want to raise taxes to grow the size of government, implement costly new government programs and pay for more federal spending.

"The United States will face significant challenges in the years ahead and we need a true leader to face those challenges head on. We believe John McCain has the leadership and courage necessary to keep America safe and restore our nation's economy.

"We wholeheartedly endorse his candidacy for the Presidency of the United States of America and look forward to working with him to ensure victory in November."
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