Maj. Gen. (retired) Douglas Burnett, former adjutant general of Florida, and the nation’s longest-serving Air Force officer when he retired in 2010, endorsed Gavin Rollins on Monday in his bid for Florida’s 3rd Congressional District.

“I’ve gotten to know Gavin over the years in his dual roles as a soldier in the Florida National Guard and as a Clay County commissioner,” said Burnett. “At a time when external threats have never been greater to our national security, we need people in Washington with Gavin’s understanding of global affairs and the risks facing our country. Gavin has served honorably and courageously in the military. As a congressman, he will be a leading voice for a strong national defense and traditional conservative values.”

As the 20th Adjutant General of Florida from November 2001 to June 2010, Burnett commanded Florida’s Army and Air National Guard and served as senior military advisor to the governor and senior military leader of the National Guard. The Florida National Guard’s 211th Regional Training Institute at Camp Blanding is named in his honor.

“We need people in Washington with Gavin’s understanding of global affairs and the risks facing our country.” – Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Douglas Burnett #LocalLeadersforRollins #RollinsforCongress #TeamRollins #FL03 #Fla_pol pic.twitter.com/DP2NzQ7Upn

— Gavin Rollins (@gavinrollins) June 15, 2020

Burnett joins a host of other leaders, including State Representative Anthony Sabatini, Putnam County commissioner Larry Harvey, and Attorney Tyler Yoho, in supporting Rollins’ campaign.

Rollins is one of 10 Republicans looking to replace Congressman Ted Yoho who is retiring at the end of his current term.

Also seeking the GOP nomination are businessman Judson Sapp, businesswoman Kat Cammack, Gainesville City Commissioner Todd Chase, former congressional aide Joe Millado, physician James St. George, businessman Ryan Chamberlin, businessman Bill Engelbrecht, businessman David Theus, and businesswoman Amy Pope Wells

CD 3 includes Alachua, Bradford, Marion, Union, Putnam, and Clay counties and is largely made up of Republican voters. Yoho won the red district in 2016 earning 57.6% of the vote.