By Beth Clayton
Alabama Political Reporter
MONTGOMERY–Former Senator and GOP Presidential nominee Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania) announced his support for Quin Hillyer in the 1st district Congressional race. Santorum won the Republican primary for the Presidential election in Alabama in 2011.
I’m excited to be here to support Quin,” Santorum said. “He is exactly the kind of person we need in Washington, D.C.”
Santorum explained several of his reasons for endorsing Hillyer, including that he “is a very strong, principled Conservative” on issues like economics, foreign policy and Constitutional interpretation.
Additionally, Santorum said that he admires Hillyer’s “ability to synthesize and communicate that message in a compelling way,” saying that the Republican party needs to be able to communicate their principles in a way that resonates with the people of Alabama and people across the country.
Santorum discussed how Hillyer has been helpful in forming some of his policies from his campaign, especially on his position on zero taxes on manufacturing. Santorum said that he discussed the policy with Hillyer, who made the case for him to adopt a similar policy based on some articles that Hillyer had written about the topic.
“I didn’t go quite where Quin was going, but I went a part of the way,” Santorum said. Hillyer’s ideas of zeroing the corporate tax rate is a “pro-growth, pro-USA kind of jobs creation program that is the kind of bold leadership that we need.”
Hillyer expressed admiration for Santorum’s policies and principles, as well.
“I had admired his work for a long time on ethics and on economics, and I am pro-life,” Hillyer said.
“Not only will he be effective as a Congressman from Alabama, will he be a leader in Congress, but he will be a leader generally for us. Elevating this type of clear and bright and articulate voice for Alabama and for the movement is something I’m all about,” Santorum said.
In the 22-minute conference call, Hillyer explained the story of how he met Santorum and how Santorum had promised his endorsement, however he offered very little insight into his plans, platform or intentions for running.
