David Rivera Backs Newt Gingrich, Because Allegedly Crooked Congressmen Stick Together

Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Mario Diaz-Balart, and former Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart have all lined up in support of Mitt Romney, which left little room for Romney's primary opponents to line up a big endorsement that would resonate in Miami's Cuban-American community. Well, Newt Gingrich now has the support of that black...

By Kyle Munzenrieder

January 17, 2012

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "19274298",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17482312",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482310",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482313",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Mario Diaz-Balart, and former Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart have all lined up in support of Mitt Romney, which left little room for Romney's primary opponents to line up a big endorsement that would resonate in Miami's Cuban-American community. Well, Newt Gingrich now has the support of that black sheep Miami congressman, the oft-investigated David Rivera.

Reports the Associated Press:

South Florida U.S. Rep. David Rivera is pressing hard for GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich.

Rivera is touting the former House Speaker's nuanced approach to immigration reform and his detailed plan to step up pressure on the Cuban government.

Late last week, he accompanied Gingrich as the former House Speaker pressed the flesh at Miami's Versailles Restaurant and spoke with Spanish language media.

We've openly wondered before if anyone in the primary pack would seek out Rivera's support. After all, he's facing multiple criminal probes into his finances on both the state and federal level.

Of course, Gingrich isn't going to blame any congressman for a some measly allegations. Gingrich himself was sanctioned after 84 separate ethics charges were filed against him while he was Speaker of the House. Perhaps Rivera is seeking some tips on how to get off easy.

Rivera is just the latest Miami-area politician with a shady past to endorse Gingrich. Former mayors Xavier Suarez and Joe Carollo have both lined up behind Newt.

Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Miami New Times has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.