Mark Barrett

mbarrett@citizen-times.com

Marco Rubio's campaign has added 10 state legislators in North Carolina, including two from the mountains, to the list of those endorsing the Republican U.S. senator from Florida for president.

State Sen. Jim Davis, R-Macon, and Rep. Josh Dobson, R-McDowell, were among those whose endorsements the campaign announced Thursday.

The list also includes some of the top Republican leaders in the state House: Speaker Pro Tem Paul "Skip" Stam, R-Wake; Majority Leader Mike Hager, R-Rutherford; and Majority Whip John Bell, R-Wayne.

Rubio has gotten less support in the state Senate so far. Davis is one of two senators whose endorsement of Rubio was announced Thursday.

"The big-government policies of President Obama have failed North Carolinians over the past eight years, and we're excited to usher in a new era of conservatism with Marco Rubio," Hager said in a statement. "Marco is a next-generation leader with the vision and purpose to uplift all Americans and keep us safe. It's up to us to help him turn the tide on the past eight years."

Sen. Andrew Brock, R-Davie, and Rep. Jason Saine, a Lincoln County Republican who is senior chairman of the powerful House Finance Committee, were announced previously as co-chairman of Rubio's campaign in North Carolina.