Romney wins Hastert, Biggert endorsements

WASHINGTON–GOP White House hopeful Mitt Romney picks up two major Illinois endorsements Wednesday, from former Speaker J. Dennis Hastert and Rep. Judy Biggert. On Tuesday, Romney won the backing of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

“I am happy to have the support of these important leaders in Illinois,” said Romney, the former Massachusetts governor. “I look forward to partnering with them in our efforts to get America back to work.”

Hastert and Biggert lined up with Romney as rival Rick Perry, the Texas governor, hits Chicago for fundraisers: Wednesday night in Lincoln Park and Thursday morning in suburban Carpentersville.

“During my years in the House, I was an advocate for balanced budgets and low taxes,” said Hastert in a statement. “Mitt Romney stands up for these principles. President Obama has failed to get millions of unemployed Americans back to work. From his success in the private sector, Mitt Romney understands how to create jobs and turn around this economy. At this critical moment, our country needs his leadership in the White House.”

Biggert said in a statement, “President Obama’s spend-tax-and-regulate policies have only served to drive up the debt and create more uncertainty for struggling American families and job creators. Mitt Romney’s plan to get America back to work is rooted not only in sound economic principles, but also in the extensive real-world experience that he brings to the table. I am proud to support him.”

The Romney Illinois campaign is chaired by state Treasurer Dan Rutherford.