We support candidates that reflect our Chamber’s fervently held belief that a viable, healthy community requires a healthy and vibrant business community. 

​​​​The candidates we endorse understand the importance of advancing legislation, ordinances and policies, that encourages economic growth, job creation and a less intrusive government. We are focused on electing or re-electing pro-business candidates that promote policy that positively affects businesses and the economy. 

The Process of Holding Officials Accountable
​The board of directors adopted a candidate endorsement  policy  because leadership matters in both the public sector and the private sector, and we need strong leadership. Secondly, we need to hold elected officials accountable based on their voting records.

Candidate Endorsement Process: 

​Endorsement Principles: 

• We will make decisions based on Chamber legislative policy, Chamber endorsement criteria, and a candidate’s alignment with the Chamber, and our Legislative Policy.
• The Chamber is non-partisan and will support candidates whose viewpoints align with Chamber policies and objectives.
• Candidates who are ultimately endorsed must understand the concerns and interests of our Chamber and the business community. 
• The Chamber will take steps necessary to hold our elected officials accountable for decisions they make or don’t make.

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The Typical Process 

• The Government Affairs Committee will recommend races that have significance for the Chamber. 
• Pre-Screening – following the close of filing for an elected public office of a qualified candidate, the Government Affairs Council will evaluate candidates. 
• The Government Affairs Committee may elect to send a questionnaire to all candidates. Candidates wishing to be endorsed by  the Chamber must return the written questionnaire prior to being interviewed by the Government Affairs Council. 
•  The Government Affairs Council may also invite candidates to an interview panel. 
• A copy of the Chambers Legislative agenda will be provided to all candidates interested in being considered for an endorsement by the Chamber. 

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Endorsements of Incumbents
The Chamber has an expedited process for endorsing incumbents based on their VOTE SCORE and LEADERSHIP SCORE

• VOTE SCORE: The Chamber has rated state senators and house members since 2019, based on the votes they have cast for, or against business priorities. Incumbents with a score rating of 90%+ may be considered for fast-tracking. 
• LEADERSHIP SCORE:  This score is based on the number of Chamber-endorsed bills/positions an elected official cosponsors and Chamber-opposed bills/positions the candidate declines to cosponsor.