Small Business Wins Big on Election Day

RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 3, 2009 - Julia Ciarlo Hammond, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said the election of Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli is a victory for Virginia's small, family businesses.

We endorsed McDonnell for governor, Bolling for lieutenant governor and Cuccinelli for attorney general.

"This is great news for small business," Hammond said. "Our members turned out today to support the candidates who support small business.

"Small business is the bedrock of Virginia's economy, and Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli clearly understand that," she said.

"We're really looking forward to working with Bob McDonnell and Bill Bolling on creating real tax relief for small businesses, finding ways to reduce lawsuit abuse and eliminate frivolous claims and improving access to affording health insurance for small business owners and their employees," Hammond said.

"Our members also know Bob McDonnell and Bill Bolling are committed to helping small businesses create jobs and lead Virginia out of this recession," she said.

In his acceptance speech, McDonnell said he would work hard for small business and singled out NFIB members Rhoda Elliot and Thomas Johnson.

While campaigning, he said, "I've heard from the entrepreneurs and small business leaders of this commonwealth -- business leaders like Rhoda Elliot of Bill's Barbecue, who's here with us tonight, and Thomas Johnson of Lynchburg -- and the need that they've got to be able to have the advantages to grow and to prosper in a free enterprise system."

Elliot hosted our endorsement event this summer for McDonnell and Bolling at Bill's Barbecue in Richmond. McDonnell recently visited Thomas A. Johnson Furniture Co. as part of his "New Jobs, New Virginia" tour.

"Ken Cuccinelli has proven over the years that he's a true friend to small business," Hammond said. "We know he'll do everything he can to protect the people of Virginia while also protecting the right of entrepreneurs and small, family businesses to own, operate and grow their businesses."

The endorsements were made by the NFIB/Virginia SAFE (Save America's Free Enterprise) Trust, which is comprised exclusively of NFIB members.

Small business owners and their employees vote in high numbers and are known for actively recruiting friends, family members and acquaintances to go to the polls. Our political support is based on the candidates' positions and records on small business issues.