Grover Norquist Endorses Senator John McCain

Friday, the founder of Americans for Tax Reform, Grover Norquist, endorsed establishment Senator John McCain in a letter released by the McCain Campaign.

McCain is facing a tough primary challenge Aug 30th from former State Senator Dr. Kelli Ward. Norquist, who usually does not endorse individual candidates in Republican primaries, wrote a letter formally endorsing Senator John McCain’s reelection bid.

In the letter, Norquist wrote, “I am pleased today to endorse John McCain’s candidacy for reelection to the U.S. Senate,” Norquist wrote. “It is unusual for me to personally endorse candidates but as a taxpayer advocate, I have for years appreciated your leadership in stopping tax increases and promoting tax reform. You have taken the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and protected Arizona taxpayers.”

Senator McCain is in the fight of his political life going into the August 30th primary. Dr. Kelli Ward is proving to be a formidable candidate who has picked up critical endorsements from groups across the center-right spectrum like Gun Owners of America, conservative icon Phyllis Schlafly, libertarian icon Ron Paul, Conservative Campaign Committee, Chris McDaniel, and even several current and former members of Congress including Thomas Massie, Virgil Goode, and Jim Bridenstine.

McCain, who has been censured by local Republican groups, has struggled to gain traction with Arizona Republicans, more than 70 percent of whom voted for anti-establishment candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz in Arizona’s March presidential primary.

Early voting is underway and the primary will be on August 30th. It’s unclear how much of an impact the endorsement of the controversial Norquist will have.

Below is the full endorsement letter from Norquist:

I am pleased today to endorse John McCain’s candidacy for reelection to the U.S. Senate.

It is unusual for me to personally endorse candidates.

But as a taxpayer advocate, I have for years appreciated your leadership in stopping tax increases and promoting tax reform. You have taken the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and protected Arizona taxpayers. Your advocacy for the reform of corporate taxes in the face of declining American competitiveness is badly needed in Washington. The tax reforms you have supported will create millions of jobs in the United States.

John McCain’s leadership in fighting Pentagon waste has been unequaled in the U.S. Congress, and taxpayers and advocates of a strong national defense cannot afford to lose your leadership. It is extremely rare for a Member of Congress to understand foreign policy, the labyrinthine military procurement process, budgetary realities, and respect for taxpayers. It would be a serious blow to conservatives to lose John McCain in the Senate.“Likewise, as a lifelong advocate of Second Amendment rights I have found McCain a strong ally in defense of our First Freedom. The Senator’s endorsement of S.498, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, demonstrates his commitment to protecting the Second Amendment rights of all Americans. John McCain knows Supreme Court appointments matter. A lot.

I look forward to continuing to work with him in the 115th Congress, particularly as we tackle badly needed tax and budget reform that can restore America’s ability to compete successfully in the world economy.”