Romney lands second House leadership endorsement

{mosads}McMorris Rodgers is the vice chairwoman of the House Republican Conference and holds the No. 5 position in the GOP leadership. She will serve as the Romney for President Washington state chairwoman.



“President Obama’s policies are not working for Washington state or the rest of the nation,” the four-term lawmaker said in a statement. “Mitt Romney actually knows how the economy works — he spent 25 years in the private sector — and knows how jobs are created … With his economic know-how and bold plan to turn around the economy, Mitt Romney will be able to get our country back on the right track on day
 one as president.”



House GOP Leadership Chairman Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) has also endorsed Romney for president.

In November, Romney landed the endorsement of popular two-term Sen. John Thune (S.D.), who, as chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, is the only other member of Senate leadership to make an endorsement thus far.



Despite the endorsements from high-ranking Republicans, Romney is struggling to retain his front-runner status.

 According to the latest polls, Romney trails rival Newt Gingrich by double digits in Iowa. He also trails the former Speaker in national polls.



Candidates will be vying for the endorsements of other powerful Republicans to generate momentum before Iowa voters cast their ballots at the Jan. 3 caucuses and New Hampshire primary voters go to the polls Jan. 10.



“I am proud to announce Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers as the chair of my campaign in Washington state,” Romney said in a statement. “Working with conservative leaders like Cathy, I hope to bring reform to Washington, D.C. We need to get spending under control, lessen the regulatory burden and make it easier for businesses to grow and hire. Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers has already been a leader in this fight, and I look forward to working with her.”

Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas), the chairman of the House Republican Conference who holds the No. 4 position in the GOP leadership, endorsed Texas Gov. Rick Perry in August.

This post was updated at 11:49 a.m.