Rubio nabs endorsement from Colorado lawmaker

Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) on Friday endorsed Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) for president, citing his commitment to bolster national security and strengthen the military.

“Marco understands the threats facing our country and his plan for a New American Century will strengthen our military, keep our country safe and it’s why as a Marine Corps combat veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am proud to endorse him,” Coffman said.

{mosads}The four-term congressman said he was impressed by Rubio’s leadership on reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Marco stood with me to pass VA reforms that honor our commitments to the men and women who have served our nation in uniform,” he said. “Marco is a generational leader and I look forward to helping him with Colorado in 2016.”

Coffman is Rubio’s 23rd congressional endorsement.

He was seen as a potential Republican challenger to Sen. Michael Bennett (D-Colo.) in 2016, but has denied any interest in a run.

The Iraq War veteran represents the 6th Congressional District in Colorado, where a federal VA hospital that is more than $1 billion over budget and four years behind schedule has garnered national attention.

Rubio has also been backed by Colorado’s other Republican senator, Cory Gardner.