Libertarian stalwart and tea party godfather Congressman Ron Paul of Texas has endorsed Dr. Ted Yoho, Republican nominee for North Central Floridas 3rdCongressional District. Ted Yoho is one of 11 House candidates across the United States to be endorsed by Paul.

I endorse Ted Yoho for Floridas 3rdDistrict. His commitment to the Constitution and individual liberties is exactly what we need more of in the House, said Congressman Paul.

Yoho thanked Dr. Paul for his support.

Im incredibly humbled that the leader of the modern liberty movement and strong conservative leader, Congressman Ron Paul, is backing our campaign. I admire Congressman Paul for his relentless pursuit of conservative values and his passion for our Constitution and our great Republic. Yoho said. I hope that I can continue to champion Dr. Pauls efforts to audit the Fed, protect states rights and getting our nation back on track.

Yoho is a businessman and large-animal veterinarian who has lived in North Central Florida for the last 35 years. The seat Dr. Yoho is seeking is the newly created Congressional District 3 which encompasses the following counties: Alachua, Gilchrist, Levy, Dixie, Lafayette, Suwannee, Columbia, Bradford, Union, Hamilton, Clay, the eastern portion of Madison and the north western portion of Marion County.

Sunshine State News was the first news source in the nation to highlight the libertarian leanings of the Republican rising star, in an exclusive interview with Yoho back in August.

Yoho rose to national prominence Aug. 14 after scoring a very narrow victory over 12-term congressman Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, in one of the year's most hotly contested primary races.Yoho's win was hailed in many quarters as one of the biggest upsets in that month's primary election season, and quite possibly one of the greatest congressional upsets in Florida history.

Paul does not endorse candidates lightly; on Friday, he pointedly declined to to back GOP candidate Mitt Romney for the presidency.