Montana Chamber Releases Candidate Endorsements

The following press release was sent to the members of the Montana media:

The state’s leading business advocate has announced endorsements for many of the statewide offices up for election this November.  The Montana Chamber of Commerce personally interviewed candidates and discussed endorsements for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Governor, Attorney General, State Auditor, and Secretary of State at its summer Board of Directors meeting in Sidney June 9-10. 

Baucus Influential - Topping the list of endorsed candidates is U.S. Senator Max Baucus. Board members cited his seniority and role as Senate Finance Committee Chair, his work on important small business issues, such as taxation, trade, and transportation, and a responsive legislative staff, as just a few of the reasons for endorsing the incumbent.

“Montana needs to keep Max in the United States Senate,” said Webb Brown, President/CEO of the state chamber. “His position is critical to our continued economic success.”

Rehberg Pro-Business - U.S. Representative Denny Rehberg also received a strong endorsement from Montana’s top business organization.  His position on the powerful Appropriations Committee and his exemplary record on small business issues made the endorsement decision very easy for the Board of Directors.  Rehberg has consistently won the “Spirit of Enterprise” award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and has already been endorsed for re-election by that body.  The Montana Chamber has also endorsed Rehberg in past races.

“Denny is a hardworking lawmaker with a consistent record of championing small business,” said Brown.  “We’re proud he’s looking out for Montana.”

Brown for Governor - Gubernatorial candidate Roy Brown also received a strong endorsement for his superb legislative voting record on small business issues (95% career score) as well as his specific plans to move Montana towards long-term sustainable growth.

“Under Roy Brown’s leadership, Montana will lay the groundwork for long-term, sustainable growth of our state’s economy,” said Webb Brown.  “This includes tax relief, energy development, and business recruitment.”

Fox as Top Law Official - In the race for Attorney General, the board voted to endorse Tim Fox for his positions on law enforcement issues, responsible natural resource development, and reducing lawsuit abuse in Montana.

Grimes for Auditor/Insurance Commissioner - In the State Auditor contest, Duane Grimes received the endorsement for his excellent pro-small business voting record as a legislator (98% career score), his understanding of insurance issues, and his ideas for resource development as a member of the State Land Board.

Johnson Again for SOS - For Secretary of State, incumbent Brad Johnson was supported for his work in bringing new technologies to that office and his pro-development record on Land Board decisions.

“Whether a candidate received an endorsement or not, the Board was impressed with various aspects of each individual, their willingness to meet with the Board, and their numerous ideas for moving our state in the right direction,” said Webb Brown.  “The level of professionalism of all candidates who appeared before us was outstanding.”

In October, the Board will meet with candidates for the Office of Public Instruction, Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court, and the Public Service Commission to decide whether to make endorsements.

Comments

[Montana Headlines]

Good job on taking the time to do careful, fact-based endorsements.

[goof houlihan]

That would be where my marks will land, even without a chamber endorsement.

[Lamnidae]

Sounds like a recipe for the terrific economic times of the Racicot and Martz administrations.

[Mike]

Wow. These endorsements are totally suprising. I dont think anybody saw this coming: the Montana Chamber endorses a solid GOP ticket with the exception of the grovel to a 30 year Senator.

Somebody better call the AP and Lee State Bureau.

This is big news.