U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof — who’s battling state Treasurer Sarah Steelman over who’s the most conservative Republican running for governor — has garnered the support of one of the state GOP’s conservative groups.

The Missouri Republican Assembly announced Wednesday night that its members “voted, by acclimation, to endorse” Hulshof.

The vote was apparently taken in Branson, before Saturday’s state convention got underway. But the group’s leaders apparently opted to hold off making their choice public until Wednesday night, when an e-mail was sent out.

In its release, the group said, “The vote of acclimation was taken recalling the words of Thomas Jefferson who said, ‘One man with courage is a majority.’ ”

Assembly 1st Vice President William S. Magill praised Hulshof as “genuinely, not as much a politician, as he is truly a statesman, a statesman whose moral compass unwaveringly points to true North.

“A Statesman, who at core of his very soul, understands that the Liberty, of which the Missouri Constitution speaks, includes; the freedom to be born, not terminated in utero, the freedom to be raised and nurtured in a traditional family, the freedom to choose our own destiny, unencumbered by unnecessary Governmental interference, and the freedom of life and of death with dignity

“Congressman Hulshof is not only a friend of genuine conservative values; he is a valiant warrior for them.”

In the release, Hulshof said he welcomed the Assembly’s support. 

“Missourians are eager for a fresh perspective in Jefferson City.  They want their state government to do its job well, and then get out of the way of the American spirit.

  “I am honored that the Missouri Republican Assembly is endorsing my candidacy.  Missouri’s best days are not behind us, they are just ahead of us.  I look forward to working with principled conservatives throughout the state to help more Missourians achieve the Missouri Dream.”