Former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner continues to gain the backing of prominent conservatives at the national level as he runs for the Republican nomination to take on Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012.

On Friday, Hasner unveiled the backing of one of the most prominent social and religious conservative organizations in the country -- the Family Research Council Action PAC.

The Family Research Council is one of the leading national organizations for social and religious conservatives. The group was founded in 1983 by prominent evangelical leader James Dobson and has been led by prominent conservative activists including former Republican presidential hopeful Gary Bauer and Ken Connor, who was with Florida Right-to-Life and ran for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 1994. The organization supports traditional marriage, the pro-life cause and a greater role for religion in the public square.

 

Hasner received warm words of praise from Tony Perkins, the former Louisiana state representative who took over as chairman of the organization after Connor resigned in 2003.

"Representative Hasner is a strong conservative who will work to protect the freedom of Americans by advocating for a limited government. He is pro-life, and consistent in his support of the traditional values that are the bedrock of our society," said Perkins, in a statement released on Friday. "Adam Hasner knows that out-of-control government spending burdens our families. We believe he will stand up to the Washington establishment and work to cut the spending that is on pace to overwhelm our children with a mountain of debt. FRC Action PAC supports Adam Hasner as a strong advocate for the issues that uphold and strengthen the family and the community. We are pleased to support his candidacy."

"I am honored to have earned the support of the Family Research Council Action PAC. Their endorsement is a validation of my lifelong and continued defense of faith, family, and the sanctity of life," said Hasner. "For close to 30 years they have been a leading force in the fight protecting freedom and advocating traditional family values. I look forward to working with their organization as we continue to build the campaign able to defeat Senator Nelson and begin the process of restoring America's economic and moral standing in the world."

Hasner has focused on winning the backing of prominent national conservatives. Besides the FRC endorsement, Hasner has won the backing of Concerned Women for America, the American Future Fund, FreedomWorks and a host of conservative leaders and pundits including Ken Blackwell, Monica Crowley, Erick Erickson and Mark Levin.

Earlier in the month, Hasner won the Conservative Political Action Conference straw poll in Orlando, beating out three of his rivals for the Republican nomination.

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