ATLANTA (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio is getting an endorsement from a conservative Georgia congressman as the Florida senator comes to Georgia to campaign.
In a statement from Rubio's campaign to The Associated Press, Rep. Austin Scott cites national security as his reason for backing the senator. Scott says Rubio "is ready to be commander-in-chief the first day in office."
Rubio is appearing in Atlanta on Monday. Georgia Republicans will vote March 1 in the so-called "SEC primary" that will have strong influence on selecting the GOP nominee.
Scott represents the 8th Congressional District that stretches along Interstate 75 from parts of Macon to the Georgia-Florida line south of Valdosta. He was elected in 2010 with tea party backing, though he has angered some conservatives in the movement.
