Rubio lands fifth lawmaker endorsement

Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.) announced his support for Sen. Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioHillicon Valley: Biden administration sanctions Russia for SolarWinds hack, election interference Senators reintroduce bill to block NATO withdrawal New US sanctions further chill Biden-Putin relations MORE for president on Monday, giving the Florida Republican his fifth endorsement from a lawmaker on Capitol Hill.

“As the son of a bartender and a hotel maid, Marco Rubio understands the importance of preserving the American Dream for future generations better than anyone else, and I'm proud to endorse him for President,” Rokita said in a statement first obtained by The Hill. “Marco’s uplifting vision for a New American Century is what our country needs and I look forward to helping him in the Hoosier State.”

Rubio has also been endorsed by Reps. Austin Scott (R-Ga.), John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), Chris StewartChris StewartOn management of Utah public lands, Biden should pursue an accountable legislative process Georgia AG rejects prosecutor's request for Rayshard Brooks case to be reassigned House Republicans ask for briefing on threats keeping National Guard in DC MORE (R-Utah), and Thomas Rooney (R-Fla.). Rooney is so far the only member of the House Republican delegation from Florida to back Rubio over his in-state rival, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Bush leads all of the Republican candidates in lawmaker endorsements, having landed support from three senators and 20 members of the House, including 11 of Florida’s 17 Republican representatives.

While Bush leads Rubio in establishment support and has raised more money, Rubio has moved slightly past Bush in the polls since the last Republican debate.

Rubio now sits in fourth place nationally at 9.5 percent support, according to the RealClearPolitics average, followed by Bush, at 8.3 percent.

Three political newcomers — brash billionaire Donald TrumpDonald TrumpGraham: 'I could not disagree more' with Trump support of Afghanistan troop withdrawal GOP believes Democrats handing them winning 2022 campaign Former GOP operative installed as NSA top lawyer resigns MORE, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and former businesswoman Carly Fiorina — lead the GOP pack.