U.S. Representative Mike Conaway Endorses Governor Mitt Romney

Wednesday, Mar 07, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Kevin Madden (857) 288 - 6390

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Conaway (R-TX) announced his support for Governor Mitt Romney. Representative Conaway will be joining the 23 other members of Governor Romney's Congressional Whip Team.

"I am honored to support Governor Romney and his vision of a stronger America. He shares the values of the people of my District – a belief in strong families, a strong military and lower taxes. A man of deep character and integrity, Governor Romney is the only conservative candidate who can bring real change to Washington. I am proud to be a part of his team," said Representative Conaway.

Welcoming Representative Conaway's endorsement, Governor Romney said, "I am pleased to have the support of Representative Conaway. Our country faces a new generation of challenges. The solution is not more government but to call upon the strength of people in places like West Texas. We are building a strong network in Texas and I am gratified that Representative Conaway will be serving on my campaign."

Background On U.S. Representative Mike Conaway:

Representing The 11th Congressional District Of Texas, Representative Conaway Has Demonstrated Strong Leadership In Washington And Is Currently An Assistant Republican Whip. A CPA, he has been a vocal proponent of fiscal responsibility, a simpler and fairer tax system, accountability in government and reducing the national debt. Representative Conaway currently serves on the House Agriculture, Armed Services, budget and Republican Party Committees. As a member of the Armed Services Committee and an Army veteran, he has taken steps to support the fight against militant jihadists. Representative Conaway served as Chief Financial Officer of Bush Exploration.

03/24/2007

Conaway opinion piece on Romney

Midland Reporter-Telegram

Gov. Mitt Romney is the right choice for president

As a second term Congressman from West Texas, I fully intended to keep my powder dry in the presidential race for quite a while. I had no intention of endorsing any of the candidates and simply wanted to meet a couple of them when they were in Austin a few weeks ago. Having read all the newspapers and Web sites for the last few months, I figured I knew what to expect.

It is said that every presidential election is the most important election ever. Well, this time that sentiment might be true. We are fighting wars on many fronts - from the war against violent Islamic jihadists around the world to the war on government spending here at home. We need our next president to have the experience necessary to keep Americans safe and our economy prosperous. I believe former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is that person.

In West Texas, you learn a lot about a person by shaking their hand and looking them in the eye. If you look at Romney's experience and his record, he is clearly qualified to be our next president, but his real abilities and qualifications shine through when you meet him.

Romney has been a leader his whole life. Whether in business as one of the most successful venture capitalists in America, as the CEO who rescued the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City from corruption and debt, or as governor of Massachusetts, Romney has showed the executive level experience that we need in our next president.

We face many challenges as a nation. We need a president who will bring a new type of leadership to Washington - a proven leader that can unite our nation and lead to a stronger America. As governor of Massachusetts, Romney held to his conservative values while working with one of the most liberal state legislatures in the country.

By focusing on what they could agree on, rather than on what they couldn't, Gov. Romney had great successes in producing a balanced budget each year of his term and closing a $3 billion budget deficit without raising taxes or resorting to new government borrowing. He also signed a plan into law affording every state citizen health insurance without raising taxes or creating a huge new government bureaucracy.

A strong believer in family values, Romney believes, as do I, that America's strength lies in the freedom of its people -- freedom from big government, excessive regulations and high taxes. He has proven himself to be a successful leader ready to face difficult challenges -- not because it was politically expedient but because it was the right thing to do.

He will use the decision making skills he has developed while working with boards of directors, his cabinet and the Massachusetts State Legislature to bring about real change in Washington, the type of change we desperately need if we are to get past our differences and become an even stronger nation.

These are just a few of the qualities which define Romney and his leadership. At this moment in our history, we confront a new generation of challenges that demand strong, new leadership in our nation's capital. We need a president who believes in the inherent strength of the American people and who will inspire us to meet the challenges of this new century. Gov. Romney is that person.

Mitt Romney believes our best days are ahead of us and that together, we can renew the American dream. That is why I am proud to be supporting him as he begins his campaign for our nation's highest office.

Congressman Mike Conaway is currently serving his second term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represents all or part of 36 counties in West and Central Texas. An assistant Republican Whip, Conaway serves on the House Agriculture, Armed Services, budget and Republican Policy Committees. You can e-mail Congressman Conaway at mconaway@mikeconaway.com