Trump lands his first significant (sort of) endorsement in Michigan

Donald Trump has a sizable lead in Michigan but his rough-and-tumble campaign tactics have resulted in no endorsements yet from any high-profile Republican elected officials across the state.

Well, on Thursday state Sen. Jack Brandenburg, himself a very quotable character, weighed in on Facebook with a near-endorsement for Trump.

After he posted a hard-hitting commentary on Sen. Marco Rubio, Brandenburg was asked on Facebook who he supports in the presidential contest.

Here is the Harrison Township Republican’s response: “Thanks for asking about whom I am going to endorse for President. It is early yet and I want to look at a few more things. However, if I had to vote tomorrow, I would vote for Donald Trump!”

A Brandenburg endorsement would not necessarily lift Trump’s prospects in Michigan, but he is a prominent figure in the state Capitol — chairman of the Senate Finance Committee — and he surprised some people recently by declining a congressional run for the seat being vacated by Congresswoman Candice Miller.

So far, Trump’s only endorsements in Michigan appear to consist of backing from Dillon Breen, chairman of the Wayne County Republican Party, and  Rick Johnson, a lobbyist who served as speaker of the state House from 2001-2005.

Brandenburg, in his typically gruff demeanor, offered this assessment of the Rubio candidacy on Wednesday, after the Florida senator finished a disappointing fifth in the New Hampshire primary:

“Marco Rubio, I hope you learned something from the whipping you took last night in New Hampshire. However, could you really expect any other result? As an elected official myself, I have watched all of the debates. I am astounded at the struggle that you have in giving a direct answer to a direct question. You should understand that the whole viewing public is taking notice of your arrogance. I cannot help but think if you were elected President, that arrogance would transcend into you just ignoring the American people. I think that you just represent more of the same and that is just not good enough!”