Sarah Palin Endorses Ted Yoho, Upset Winner In Florida Primary

Ted Yoho, Upset Winner Over Rep. Cliff Stearns, Lands Sarah Palin Endorsement
FILE - In this Sept. 3, 2008, file photo, Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, speaks during the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn. Republicans heading to their 2012 party convention in Tampa are eager to hear an earful about the shortcomings of President Barack Obama's record, the woeful U.S. economy and the competing visions of the two presidential candidates. They aren't looking for compromise, which most Americans say is necessary to get the nation on track. The delegates hear rhetoric that is brutal, vitriolic and far from conciliatory. Some lines from both conventions are memorable. Comparing her mayoral experience in Wasilla to that of Democratic nominee Barack Obama, Palin said, "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, expect that you have actual responsibilities." (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
FILE - In this Sept. 3, 2008, file photo, Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, speaks during the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn. Republicans heading to their 2012 party convention in Tampa are eager to hear an earful about the shortcomings of President Barack Obama's record, the woeful U.S. economy and the competing visions of the two presidential candidates. They aren't looking for compromise, which most Americans say is necessary to get the nation on track. The delegates hear rhetoric that is brutal, vitriolic and far from conciliatory. Some lines from both conventions are memorable. Comparing her mayoral experience in Wasilla to that of Democratic nominee Barack Obama, Palin said, "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, expect that you have actual responsibilities." (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Sarah Palin on Tuesday endorsed Florida congressional candidate Ted Yoho, the large animal veterinarian who upset 12-term incumbent Rep. Cliff Stearns in the state's Republican primary last week.

The former vice-presidential candidate said Yoho "isn't afraid of hard work," pointing to several night jobs he worked to pay his way through college and veterinary school.

Palin also nodded to Yoho's straightforward campaign slogan: "Had enough?"

"Ted's victory in last Tuesday's primary sent the the same message we are seeing all across the country: Yes, we've had enough," Palin said in a statement. "We've had enough of our elected officials going to Washington and forgetting about us."

Palin's endorsement solidifies Yoho's Tea Party credentials in the wake of his surprise victory over Stearns, who led conservative crusades against Planned Parenthood and Solyndra and had the backing of Tea Party darlings Reps. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) and Allen West (R-Fla.).

In an interview with The Huffington Post last week, Yoho said he "sympathizes 100 percent" with the Tea Party and identified with the conservative movement's main principles "before there was a Tea Party."

Before You Go

Mike Castle

Tea Party Casualties

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot