Michigan Chamber of Commerce Announces Candidate Endorsements For 23 State House Races

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Jun 16, 2016, 01:52 ET

LANSING, Mich., June 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today announced endorsements for 23 candidates seeking election to open seats in the State House. The entire 110-member State House is up for election or re-election this year.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization representing approximately 6,600 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Michigan Chamber represents businesses of every size and type in all 83 counties of the state. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process.

"Today, we are pleased to announce the Michigan Chamber's endorsement of 23 outstanding individuals for the State House," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley. "All of these candidates have demonstrated a commitment to free enterprise and a sincere desire to make Michigan the best state in the country to live, work, raise a family or build a business."

"The Chamber membership is energized to support these candidates as they will champion common sense policies based on personal responsibility, limited government and free enterprise," noted Jim Holcomb, Senior Vice President for Business Advocacy and General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber.

"All candidates for 41 open seats in the State House had an opportunity to participate in the Michigan Chamber's endorsement process by completing a candidate questionnaire," noted Studley. "The 23 candidates we are endorsing today met with Michigan Chamber staff and actively sought our endorsement."

"Each of these candidates have the ability to win in both August and November and the courage to govern if elected," Studley added.

The Michigan Chamber will be making additional endorsements following the August 2^nd Primary Election.

"In several primary contests, we found multiple candidates to have positions supportive of Michigan's job creators and economic growth," said Holcomb. "Rather than make multiple endorsements, we have chosen to let the primary process play out in those races."

Following are the Michigan Chamber's endorsements for open seats in the State House:

District	Candidate	Home
20	Jeffrey Neilson	Northville
23	Bob Howey	Trenton
24	Steve Marino	Harrison Township
30	Diana Farrington	Utica
32	Pamela Hornberger	Chesterfield Township
46	Joe Kent	Lake Orion
52	Donna Lasinski Scio	Township
57	Bronna Kahle	Adrian
64	John Griffin	Summit Township
66	Beth Griffin	Mattawan
70	Jim Lower	Cedar Lake
77	Tommy Brann	Wyoming
79	Kim LaSata	Benton Harbor
83	Shane Hernandez	Port Huron
86	Jeff Johnson	Grand Rapids
87	Julie Calley	Ionia
89	Jim Lilly	Park Township
99	Roger Hauck	Union Township
100	Scott VanSingel	Grant
101	Curt VanderWall	Ludington
102	Michele Hoitenga	Manton
103	Daire Rendon	Lake City
106	Jesse Osmer	Alpena

In the near future, the Michigan Chamber will be releasing its 2015-2016 Legislative Voting Record – A Competitiveness Scorecard for Michigan, which is the basis for the Chamber's endorsements for incumbent lawmakers seeking re-election to the same office.

The Michigan Chamber is a statewide business organization representing approximately 6,800 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Chamber represents businesses of every size and type in all 83 counties of the state. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process.

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SOURCE Michigan Chamber of Commerce