J.C. Watts is a well-respected national conservative leader. He became a Baptist minister and was elected in 1990 to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission as the first African American to win statewide office in the Sooner State. Watts was elected to Congress in 1994 and reelected to three additional terms with increasing vote margins. In 1997, he delivered the Republican response to Bill Clinton's State of the Union address and, in 1998, was elected by his peers to Chair the House Republican Conference. He left Congress in 2003 to return to the private sector.  

J.C. Watts said: "Ozzie deFaria and I share a common set of values, deeply held beliefs, and a commitment to combatting the decay that is plaguing America. Ozzie will be the type of conservative leader we need in Congress. After getting to know Ozzie through our mutual friend, Pastor Larry Thompson of First Baptist Church of Ft. Lauderdale, I am certain that Ozzie will be a leader on both the economic and social issues confronting our country and I fully support his candidacy for the United States Congress. I am convinced that he is a strong business leader with high moral character, and I encourage conservatives nationwide to rally behind his candidacy. "

Ozzie deFaria said: "I am honored to have the support of former Congressman J.C. Watts.  He is a long-time and well-respected leader in the conservative movement. Very few people can express and represent American ideals and conservative principles as well as Congressman Watts. I have been fortunate to have his counsel during this race and I look forward to working with him well into the future."

J.C. Watts is the latest national conservative to endorse Ozzie. Over the last two weeks, former Republican Presidential nominee and U.S. Senator John McCain and U.S. Senator Richard Burr have endorsed Ozzie. He was also named to Herman Cain's "Army of Davids." In February, Ozzie was named an "On the Radar" candidate as part of the National Republican Congressional Committee's prestigious Young Guns program.

Regards,

Jason Alweiss

Campaign Manager