Former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, who is running for the Republican nomination for U.S. senator in 2012, highlighted his conservatism on Monday, signing the "Contract From America" and announcing the support of another prominent conservative figure.

Taking a page from the playbook that worked so well for Marco Rubio against Charlie Crist, and Rick Scott against Bill McCollum back in 2010, Hasner has been arguing that he is the most conservative candidate in the Republican field, attacking two of his chief rivals -- former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux and state Senate President Mike Haridopolos. Neither stepped up quickly to back Congressman Paul Ryan's federal budget proposal.

On Monday, Hasner signed the "Contract From America." It pledges that a candidate will back smaller government, repeal the federal health-care law, and lower taxes. The contract is being pushed by FreedomWorks and former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey. Myriad candidates backed the contract in the 2010 cycle, including Mike Lee, Jim DeMint, Tom Coburn and Sharon Angle.

"I'm proud to sign the 'Contract from America' without hesitation," said Hasner. "The foundational values represented in the contract are the same pillars of liberty, economic freedom and limited government that are the foundation of our campaign in Florida. With America facing generational challenges on spending, the debt and entitlement reforms, values like the ones contained within the contract are needed now more than ever."

Hasner has also been cultivating a following in national conservative circles, winning praise from iconic magazines National Review and Human Events as well as the endorsements of pundits Monica Crowley, Eric Erikson and Mark Levine.

One more conservative leader backed Hasner Monday, when former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell -- a favorite of activists across the nation, despite his failed bid to become governor of the Buckeye State in 2006 -- announced he is endorsing Hasner.

Blackwell currently chairs Pass The Balanced Budget Amendment -- an organization that Hasner was affiliated with before embarking on his campaign. Blackwell also is affiliated with a number of prominent conservative groups, including the Club for Growth, the NRA, the National Taxpayers Union and the Family Research Council. Blackwell also served as undersecretary of  Housing and Urban Development under President George H.W. Bush and was mayor of Cincinnati in 1979 and 1980.

"Florida is a vitally important state for Republicans in our goal to recapture the Senate. Adam is a fighter; he's a principled. limited government conservative, and he is exactly the kind of candidate conservatives across Florida and the country should support," said Blackwell on Monday. "I've gotten to know Adam well through our work on Pass The Balanced Budget Amendment, and I know Adam has the courage to go to Washington and challenge the extreme direction the Obama administration is taking our country. I know he'll stand up to Democrats and Republicans to fight for limited government principles. If conservatism is to grow and thrive as a movement in America, conservatives must be willing to step up and support young, energetic and fearless leaders like Adam Hasner."

"I'm honored and grateful that our campaign has earned Ken Blackwell's support," said Hasner. "Ken Blackwell is as inspiring and principled a leader as you can find, and our campaign will honor his support by continuing to outline an honest and positive agenda to provide limited government solutions to the challenges facing our country."


Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.