Who’s the most conservative member of the Florida congressional delegation? According to one group, it’s U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, followed by fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Connie Mack.

Heritage Action, a group affiliated with the iconic conservative organization the Heritage Foundation, released its congressional rankings last week on a host of issues including expanding school choice, energy exploration and defunding the federal health-care law backed  by President Barack Obama.

“With each vote cast in Congress, freedom either advances or recedes,” insisted Heritage Action. “Heritage Action’s new legislative scorecard allows Americans to see whether their members of Congress are fighting for freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and civil society. The scorecard is comprehensive, covering the full spectrum of conservatism, and includes legislative action on issues both large and small. Heritage Action's legislative scorecard isn't graded on a curve – it is tough and we don't apologize. After all, we are conservatives, not tenured university professors.”

Scoring a 93 on Heritage Action’s scorecard, Rubio tied with U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a veteran of the Beltway, and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., a fellow freshman and favorite of the tea-party movement, for being the fourth most conservative senator. Ahead of them were three Republicans -- Jim DeMint of South Carolina, Mike Lee of Utah and James Inhofe of Oklahoma. Florida Democrat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, who is seeking a third term in 2012, received a 10 from Heritage Action.

None of the state’s 25 congressmen received more than a 90 from the group, though Mack scored an 89. Two Republicans from North Florida -- Jeff Miller and Steve Southerland -- were right behind with scores of 88, while freshman Dennis Ross received an 84.

Six of the state’s Republicans in the U.S. House scored in the 70s. U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, a veteran of the House, received a 79 from Heritage Action. U.S. Rep. Bill Posey was right behind Stearns with a 77 followed by four freshmen: Allen West with a 74, Sandy Adams with a 72, Rich Nugent with a 71 and Dan Webster with a 70.

Four more Republicans followed with scores in the 60s: John Mica with a 69 while Gus Bilirakis and Tom Rooney both scored 63. Bill Young, the dean of House Republicans, garnered a 60. Vern Buchanan, who has left the door open to running for the Senate seat held by Nelson, garnered a 59 while Ander Crenshaw, who represents parts of the First Coast and North Florida, received a 57.

Three Republicans from South Florida placed in the 40s. Mario Diaz-Balart scored a 44 while Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and freshman David Rivera received scores of 41.

None of the Democrats representing Florida in the U.S. House did better than Nelson, though two congressmen who have represented the Sunshine State for almost two decades -- Alcee Hastings and Corrine Brown -- tied him with scores of 10. Three more Democrats -- Kathy Castor, Ted Deutch and Frederica Wilson -- received scores of 7 from Heritage Action. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the South Florida congresswoman who serves as the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, received the lowest score of any of the Florida delegation with a 4.

Jeff Miller, the Panhandle Republican who chairs the House Veterans Committee, said on Monday that he was pleased with his grade.

“I’m grateful to be recognized by such a respected organization as one of the top conservatives in Congress,” Miller said. “I am very proud of my voting record and I think it reflects the values and beliefs of the majority of Northwest Floridians.”


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