Amy R. Connolly reports at UPI:
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio locked up eight new congressional endorsements and an infusion of cash contributions, bolstering his bid for the Republican presidential nomination and pushing him ahead of the pack for political backing.
Former Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum threw his support behind Rubio after the former Kentucky senator announced he was dropping his bid Wednesday.
Republican Sen. Pat Toomey and Rep. Glenn Thompson, both from Pennsylvania, and Rep. Lynn Westmoreland of Georgia are expected to endorse Rubio on Thursday.Catherine Ho writes at The Washington Post:
They join endorsements from Reps. Steve Womack and Rick Crawford, both Arkansas Republicans, Rep. Matt Salmon of Arizona and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.
In the wake of his strong showing in Iowa, Marco Rubio is gaining momentum among the lobbyists and big-time donors who can super-charge his campaign heading into a crucial stretch.
The Rubio campaign said it raised $2 million in the 24 hours after Iowa, where he placed third behind Ted Cruz and Donald Trump.
Behind-the-scenes, money is flowing to the Florida senator from those with ties to the lobbying business — who often contribute big checks to super PACs supporting candidates or bundle money from their friends and colleagues to give directly to campaigns. Some of those donors previously contributed to a pro-Jeb Bush super PAC, Right to Rise, which only took in $15 million in the second half of 2015 compared to $103 million during the first half.Brad Richardson reports at The Hill:
Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio on Thursday vaulted into second place in a daily tracking poll, but he still trails front-runner Donald Trump by double digits in the New Hampshire primary
The real estate mogul leads the GOP field, with 36 percent support, according to the WHDH/UMass Lowell poll, followed by the Florida senator, with 15 percent support; Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), with 14 percent support; former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, with 8 percent support; and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, with 7 percent support.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie places sixth in the state, with 5 percent support, followed by retired pediatric neurosurgeon Ben Carson, at 4 percent support, and business executive Carly Fiorina, at 3 percent support.
The daily poll shows a boost for Rubio, who gained 3 points overnight and 7 points since his stronger-than-expected finish in the Iowa caucuses on Monday.
