FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry Releases 2010 Legislative Endorsements

Bill Konopnicki is the only candidate in LD5 to receive the Chamber’s endorsement

June 22, 2010

PHOENIX – The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry today released its primary and general election endorsements for the State House of Representatives and State Senate. The Chamber is excited to endorse 17 Senate and 34 House candidates who share the Chamber’s pro-business, free-market agenda.

Bill Konopnicki was the only candidate to receive the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry endorsement for Legislative District 5.  Konopnicki said about his endorsement:  “It is an honor to be recognized by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a leader for business in the Arizona Legislature.  I am committed to working on solving the state’s financial problems, put people back to work and get Arizona’s economy moving forward quickly.  Rural Arizona needs a “jump start” to add new jobs and to keep people working.”

The Chamber maintains a rigorous process for supporting individuals for elected office. Incumbent legislative candidates were evaluated based on their voting record as it relates to the Chamber policy agenda and their commitment to growing and attracting business in Arizona, while challenger candidates were asked to complete a questionnaire about their policy positions before participating in a candidate interview with members of the Chamber Public Affairs Committee.

The Public Affairs Committee made recommendations for candidates to the board of directors, which ultimately voted on the final endorsements. The Chamber requires that each candidate receive the support of 60 percent of the board to receive an endorsement.

“We believe we have endorsed an outstanding slate of candidates,” Chamber Vice-President of Government Relations Allison Bell said.  “Whether they’re a Republican or a Democrat, the candidates we’ve endorsed all share a belief in free markets and a commitment to growing Arizona’s economy by creating a tax and regulatory environment that attracts good jobs to the state.”

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