Fiorina lands third lawmaker endorsement

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) announced Thursday he will support Carly Fiorina for president, giving the former Hewlett-Packard chief her third endorsement from a Capitol Hill lawmaker.

“Carly is clear, she is honest, and she is strong,” Fortenberry said in a statement. “With America facing economic malaise, political dysfunction, and cultural challenges, I am confident that Carly will rebuild our economy, repurpose our government and renew America. I believe that Carly’s creative determination will make us proud.”

Fortenberry joins House colleagues Reps. Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.) and Candice Miller (R-Mich.) as the only members of Congress so far to back Fiorina in the Republican presidential primary.

While Fiorina’s Capitol Hill support is small, it’s impressive in that she’s the only political outsider to land any lawmaker endorsements at this point in the election cycle. No lawmakers have yet to back Donald Trump or Ben Carson for president.

Miller indicated to The Hill last week that several other lawmakers are giving Fiorina a look.

Fiorina came to Washington last week to take questions from lawmakers and meet privately with women members from both chambers.

Many left the meetings impressed, including Reps. Pete King (R-N.Y.) and Mark Walker (R-N.C.), who both told The Hill that Fiorina is on their short list of candidates they’re considering supporting.