August 15, 2008

TALLAHASSEE – Following last week’s endorsement of U. S. Rep. Tom Feeney (R-Oviedo) in his bid for re-election to Congress, Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) today announced its full list of Congressional endorsements.  AIF endorsed a total of 19 candidates for Florida’s open Congressional seats.  This is the first time the statewide business association has endorsed candidates for federal office. 

“Florida business people, like all Floridians, are facing some important decisions when they head to the polls in November.  Before they cast their ballots, they should be armed with information on the candidates’ positions and voting records as it relates to business,” said Barney Bishop, President and CEO of AIF.  “Florida’s lackluster economy demands strong leaders who will advance measures that foster a business-friendly climate.  I applaud each of these candidates for their unwavering commitment to Florida business.”

Electing lawmakers who understand the needs of our state’s business community is a priority for AIF.  The association’s inaugural federal endorsements expand efforts to encourage business participation in the political process and rally the voting power of its 10,000 business members behind state and federal candidates who support the principles of a free-enterprise system.

The majority of AIF’s federal endorsements are for the incumbents.  As such, AIF staff made endorsement recommendations to the association’s board based on the voting records of Congressional members as reported by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the Business Industry Political Action Committee (BIPAC).  Endorsements required a two-thirds vote by the AIF board. 

As the nation’s largest industrial trade association representing more than 100,000 companies, the NAM serves as the voice of the manufacturing economy.  Founded as an independent, non-partisan group, BIPAC has identified pro-prosperity candidates for 45 years. AIF has been the state affiliate for the NAM since 1951 and the state affiliate for BIPAC since 2006. 

Jeff Miller (R) C-1 Allen Boyd, Jr. (D) C-2 Ander Crenshaw (R) C-4 Ginny Brown-Waite (R) C-5 Clifford Stearns (R) C-6 John Mica (R) C-7 Ric Keller (R) C-8 Gus Bilirakis (R) C-9 C.W. Bill Young (R) C-10 Adam Putnam (R) C-12

Vern Buchanan (R) C-13 Connie Mack (R) C-14 Bill Posey (R) C-15 Tom Rooney (R) C-16 Gayle Harrell (R) C-16 Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R) C-18 Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R) C-21 Tom Feeney (R) C-24 Mario Diaz-Balart (R) C-25