OHIO CONGRESSMEN BOB LATTA, RALPH REGULA, AND MIKE TURNER ENDORSE JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that Ohio Congressmen Bob Latta, Ralph Regula, and Mike Turner have endorsed John McCain for president.

"While the Democrats offer veiled hope and empty promises, John McCain has the knowledge and experience necessary to lead our great country through challenging times," said Congressman Regula. "John McCain is the only candidate who is prepared to serve as commander in chief on his first day in the Oval Office."

"In his 25 years in Congress, Senator McCain has worked to reduce federal spending and lower taxes," said Congressman Turner. "The senator's vow to permanently reduce the taxes which are burdening American families, while cutting rising federal spending is the right approach to our budget process. I am proud to support John McCain for president."

Congressman Latta added, "Senator McCain has the battle tested credentials to continue to keep our nation safe and secure as we fight terrorism around the world. Furthermore, John McCain knows that America's working families need real tax relief and will fight Washington bureaucrats to bring an end to wasteful pork barrel spending."

John McCain thanked Congressmen Latta, Turner and Regula for their support, stating, "I'm honored to have the support of my congressional colleagues. Bob, Mike and Ralph have served the people of Ohio with honor for many years and I look forward to working with them towards victory in the state's primary and in November."

Congressman Latta represents Ohio's 5th Congressional District. The district, the second-largest in the state, includes most of Toledo's suburbs. He was born in Bluffton, Ohio and his father, Del Latta, represented Ohio's 5th from 1959 to 1989. Congressman Latta and his wife Marcia have two children.

Congressman Turner represents Ohio's 3rd Congressional District. He serves on the House Veterans' Affairs, the House Armed Services and the House Government Reform Committees. He chairs the House Republican Policy Committee's task force on Urban Revitalization, and is also a member of the House Historic Preservation Caucus, the Former Mayors Caucus, and the Real Estate Caucus. A life-long resident of Dayton, Ohio, Congressman Turner and his wife Lori have two daughters.

Congressman Regula represents Ohio's 16th Congressional District which includes Stark, Wayne and portions of Ashland and Medina Counties. He is the Ranking Minority Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government. Congressman Regula served in the U.S. Navy. He was born in Beach City, Ohio. He and his wife Mary have three children and four grandchildren.