Minnesota Chamber Leadership Fund PAC endorses Emmer

For Immediate Release
Sept. 22, 2010   
Contact:  Mike Franklin, PAC director
(651) 292-4661
mfranklin@mnchamber.com

Minnesota Chamber Leadership Fund PAC endorses Emmer

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Chamber Leadership Fund Political Action Committee today endorsed Republican candidate Tom Emmer for governor in the Nov. 2 election.

“Tom Emmer is the candidate who best meets our criteria and will make an outstanding governor,” said Steve McCulloch of St. Louis Park, a member of the Minnesota Chamber Leadership Fund Political Action Committee. “Emmer is the candidate who best represents the Minnesota Chamber’s pro-business, pro-jobs agenda and is most electable. His message will resonate with all Minnesotans, because it’s common-sense, especially during a challenging economy.”

The PAC Board was especially impressed with Emmer’s approach to the state’s projected $6 billion shortfall in its general fund, McCulloch said. Emmer focused on priority-based budgeting, a process advocated by the Minnesota Chamber.

“Minnesota businesses must set priorities when times are bad – they expect the same from their state government,” McCulloch said. “Minnesota has about $33 billion to spend over the next two years. Rep. Emmer’s approach to budgeting ensures that those dollars will go where they will support the greatest economic growth in both the short and long run. This is not the time to increase state tax burdens.”

The worst outcome for job creation in Minnesota would be electing Dayton, McCulloch said.

“Minnesota cannot afford a Mark Dayton Administration,” he said. “The business community is unified in stopping his agenda of tax increases that would put all businesses at a disadvantage in today’s global marketplace and, as a result, cripple Minnesota’s economy just when a shot in the arm is needed.”

The Chamber PAC made its decision after interviewing Emmer and Tom Horner, Independence Party candidate. Democratic candidate Mark Dayton declined the invitation.

The Leadership Fund PAC is a separate entity from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. It includes volunteer members representing businesses of all sizes who support the PAC’s mission of electing pro-business, pro-jobs candidates regardless of party. The PAC is funded entirely by voluntary, personal contributions.