NASHVILLE - One of the country's most prominent Christian conservative evangelical leaders, Dr. James Dobson, is endorsing Grant Starrett in his GOP primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais in Tennessee's 4th Congressional District.
The move comes as Starrett continues to work to attract Christian conservatives to his effort to beat DesJarlais, a three-term incumbent, in the 16-county district's Aug. 4 Republican primary.
"It is my pleasure to be among the many conservatives who are supporting Grant Starrett," Dobson said in a statement released by Starrett's campaign today.
Founder of the influential groups Focus on the Family in the 1970s and Family Research Council in the 1980s, Dobson now hosts Family Talk, a radio ministry that promotes and teaches biblical principles that support marriage, family, and child-development. He is no longer associated with Focus on the Family.
The endorsement came in Dobson's private capacity.
Dobson said he became acquainted with Starrett, who came to Tennessee from California to attend Vanderbilt University Law School, through what he called Starrett's "conservative activism and his commitment to family values. His dedication is evident, from having founded the Conservative Society at Stanford to working for Senator Jim DeMint," a former South Carolina senator who is now president of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.
"For years, I've prayed for leaders who will help America return to its Judeo-Christian foundation," Dobson added. "Grant is a key part of the next generation of conservative leaders who will protect life from conception and uphold our values. Simply put: in the 4th Congressional District of Tennessee, Grant is the best man for the job."
Early voting in Tennessee begins Friday.
