This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Sept. 22, 2011 - Republican Ann Wagner's 2nd District congressional campaign announced this morning that she's garnered the first 2012 election endorsement awarded by former U.N. Ambassador, John Bolton, now a prominent conservative commentator and fellow with the American Enterprise Institute.
Bolton's backing is seen as a move by Wagner to bolster her conservative credentials with tea party activists as she competes with St. Louis lawyer Ed Martin, a tea party favorite, for the open 2nd District seat in the August 2012 Republican primary.
Wagner has a long history as a major player in Republican politics, serving as chair of the Missouri GOP before co-chairing the Republican National Committee and most recently serving as President George W. Bush's ambassador to Luxembourg.
Bolton, by the way, jumped in Missouri's 2010 contests by headlining an early fundraising event for now-state Auditor Tom Schweich.
Said Bolton in a statement: "Washington needs leaders who stand on conservative principles, stand for the Constitution and have deep roots in the district. That is why I am proud to announce my endorsement of Ann Wagner in Missouri's 2nd Congressional District.
"Ann Wagner is a principled conservative who will shake things up in Washington with her hard-charging, no-nonsense approach to problem solving. Nobody outworks Ann Wagner and nobody is more connected to the people than Ann. Her deep roots in the district and long history in the grassroots movement have earned her the respect of countless activists in Missouri and nationwide.
"Ann is a winner and the fighter we can trust to stand up to the special interests that dominate Washington these days. She has defeated liberals for decades as a party leader and activist and now, for the first time, it is time for all conservatives to stand up for Ann and send her to Congress."
Wagner replied in turn: "Nobody has faced down more enemies to freedom than Ambassador Bolton. To have Ambassador Bolton's support is truly humbling and a clear indication that our campaign for Congress is taking hold among the conservative scholars around the country."
