Rep. Erik Paulsen joins Minnesota GOP bandwagon, endorses Rubio

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Erik Paulsen is the latest Minnesota Republican politician to endorse Florida Sen. Marco Rubio in the GOP presidential primary.

"Marco understands the American dream because he has lived it and he knows that for future generations of Americans to have a shot at that dream, we need a new generation of conseravtive leadership in Washington," he said, in a statement released by Rubio's camp.

Paulsen's endorsement late Monday comes after his colleague, outgoing Rep. John Kline, endorsed Rubio earlier this month and former Sen. Norm Coleman shifted his support from Jeb Bush to Rubio about an hour after Bush dropped out of the race Saturday night.

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty endorsed Rubio earlier Monday on CNN.