Former Vice President Dick Cheney made a rare political endorsement Wednesday as he announced his support for a former Navy lieutenant and judge advocate general who served in combat during the Iraq War.
Cheney wrote in a letter released Wednesday that he would back Republican attorney Adam Laxalt, whom he called a "young, conservative leader," as he campaigns to be Nevada's attorney general. In Cheney's opinion, "no state race is as important as this one":
Adam volunteered to serve in the U.S. Military in Iraq during the Surge where he helped assist in the detention and prosecution some of the world’s most dangerous terrorists. He will serve as Nevada’s Attorney General with the same bravery. Second, he has a strong sense of public service. This sense runs deep within his family. I was honored to serve with Adam’s legendary grandfather, former Nevada Governor and U.S. Senator Paul Laxalt. Together, Paul Laxalt and I worked with our friend, President Ronald Reagan, to promote the fundamental American ideals we still hold dear. Adam has been endowed with his grandfather’s ideals.
Laxalt got the Nevada Republican Party's endorsement after announcing his candidacy in January. He may face Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller (D), the son of another former Nevada governor, if both win their respective primaries.
Cheney has maintained a low profile since his daughter Liz ended her bid to challenge incumbent Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) in January.
This isn't the first time Laxalt has received support from a member of former President George W. Bush's administration: Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton held a campaign rally for Laxalt in March.
Read Cheney's endorsement letter here.
UPDATE -- 1:25 p.m.:
Laxalt said in a statement Wednesday that he felt "honored" to receive Cheney's backing.
"I am honored to have earned the endorsement from undoubtedly one of the most powerful and consequential Vice Presidents in our nation's history. Vice President Cheney's strong support for my candidacy not only demonstrates the importance of this race in Nevada, but it stresses the necessity in electing Attorneys General who will protect states from the massive federal overreach by the Obama Administration while upholding our Constitution."
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