For IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, December 4, 2008

– With Economic Crisis, State Officials to Bring Necessary Perspective to Washington – 

ALEXANDRIA, VA – With the recount finished in the 4th Congressional District in California, State Senator Tom McClintock will join 12 other current or former State Legislators in Washington for the new Congress. The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC), the nation’s largest caucus of Republican state leaders, congratulated Senator McClintock on his win and pointed out the importance of the voice of those with state experience during this economic crisis.

“Just this week, President-elect Obama listened to the concerns of the nations’ governors in these tumultuous economic times,” said RSLC President Scott Ward. “We are encouraged that an additional fourteen commonsense, Republican leaders with state legislative experience will be heading to Washington to make sure that the policies set forth encourage economic prosperity for the future of our country.”

“Today’s state leaders are tomorrow’s future, and we work vigorously to elect those who reflect the ideas and principles of the American people,” added Ward. “It should not go unnoticed of the importance of sending people to Washington with this experience and background.”

The Republican current and former state legislators heading to Washington are as follows:

Senate:

Idaho – ex-State Senator and former Lieutenant Governor James Risch

House:

California 4th – State Senator Tom McClintock

Colorado 6th – ex-State Senator Michael Coffman

Florida 15th – State Senator William “Bill” Posey

Illinois 18th – State Rep. Aaron Schock

Kansas 2nd – ex-State Senator Lynn Jenkins

Kentucky 2nd – State Senator Brett Guthrie

Louisiana 6th – State Senator Bill Cassidy Minnesota 3rd – State Rep. Erik Paulsen

Missouri 9th – ex-State Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer

New Jersey 7th – State Senator Leonard Lance

Ohio 7th – State Senator Steven Austria

Wyoming At-large – ex-State Senator Cynthia M. Lummis

The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) is the only national organization whose mission is electing Republicans to the office of Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and State legislator. The RSLC is the largest caucus of Republican state leaders in the country – making a national impact one state at a time.

The RSLC has over 70,000 donors from all 50 states supporting the RSLC’s goals to pursue a pro-growth agenda, including: reforming the tax code, healthcare and legal systems; promoting a better educational system; and advocating public safety through tough, crime-fighting policies. During the 2008 election the RSLC helped maintain the number of Republican Attorneys General and Lieutenant Governors across the U.S. In addition, the RSLC was able to deliver new Republican majorities in the Montana, Oklahoma and Tennessee state senates, as well as an unprecedented majority in the Tennessee House of Representatives.