Matt Pinnell, chairman of the Oklahoma GOP, tweets that Puerto Rico governor and Republican national committeeman Luis Fortuño has endorsed Reince Priebus for RNC chair. RNC Watch has asked Priebus to confirm.
UPDATE: And he has. In a letter to members, Fortuño writes, “The RNC’s next steps are critically important to the future of our Party and the country. And our next Chairman must be immediately ready to provide the leadership necessary to put in place the programs that will support candidates and the Republican Parties in both the territories and the states.” Fortuño’s endorsement brings Priebus’s total to 40 votes. Read the full letter below.
Dear RNC Members:
Greetings from Puerto Rico, USA!
I am so grateful for all of your hard work of building our Party in order
for us to continue our gains and retake the White House in 2012. We have to
continue to govern like we campaign and elect good conservative Republicans
to office.
I have thought about the race for RNC Chairman and considered every aspect
of what this means for the RNC and America. I have talked to leaders around
the country and many of you on the Committee. I want you to know that I have
decided to support Reince Priebus for RNC Chairman.
Reince’s track record as Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin is
exemplary, and an example of what the RNC Chairman’s office should strive to
attain. Stellar grassroots development, fundraising, candidate recruitment,
and successful management of Party operations are what Reince brings to the
table. I’m confident he can replicate these successes as the next RNC
Chair.
The RNC’s next steps are critically important to the future of our Party and
the country. And our next Chairman must be immediately ready to provide the
leadership necessary to put in place the programs that will support
candidates and the Republican Parties in both the territories and the
states.
As a Member of the RNC and Governor of Puerto Rico, I respectfully ask that you
join me in supporting Reince Priebus for RNC Chairman.
Sincerely,
Luis G. Fortuño
Governor
Puerto Rico