GOP Rep. Mike Bishop backs Bush for president

Freshman Rep. Mike Bishop (R-Mich.) endorsed Jeb Bush for president on Monday, saying he’s the best candidate to handle the national security threats the nation faces.

“As we face growing threats abroad and continued economic challenges at home, I believe Jeb Bush’s executive experience and vision uniquely qualifies him to face our nation’s challenges on day one,” Bishop said in a statement first obtained by The Hill.

{mosads}“The federal government has no greater task than to ensure the security of our nation,” Bishop continued. “Governor Bush has presented a solid plan to combat [the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria] and is committed to tackling the issues which the current administration has neglected for too long.”

Bush has sought to stake his claim as one of the party’s foremost experts on foreign policy and national security in the wake of the terror attacks in France earlier this month.

Last week, Bush rolled out his plan to strengthen the military and defend the nation from terror threats in an address at a military academy in South Carolina, and his campaign has been rolling out endorsements from military officials and veterans in the days since.

With Bishop’s backing, Bush now has 26 House members in his corner, as well as three senators.

Bush easily has the most endorsements from lawmakers on Capitol Hill, although Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has been gaining on him in recent weeks.

Rubio is in second place in the endorsements primary, with support from 14 members of the House and three senators.