Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney endorsed Iowa state Sen. Joni Ernst on Wednesday in the Republican primary to fill that state's open U.S. Senate seat.
"As a mother, soldier and proven conservative, Joni has the kind of experience, skill set and discipline it will take to not only win this important seat, but to also take Iowa values to help turn around the mess in Washington," Romney wrote in a
fundraising letter sent to Ernst supporters.
Ernst is running against five other candidates and has received the endorsement of Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. She is also the unofficial favorite of Gov. Terry Branstad in the race to replace Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin, who
announced in
January 2013 that he will not seek re-election.
According to the
Des Moines Register, it's the first email letter that Romney has sent out in support of a candidate this election cycle, although he has sent other letters via regular mail on behalf of former vice presidential running mate Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, and Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho.
There is also a letter going out this week from the Massachusetts Republican in support of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
Romney has a highly coveted
fundraising operation among fellow Republicans, and his endorsement is also highly valued, as he is still considered popular in the GOP.
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