11/17/2006
NFIB will fight for small-business agenda
Though the partisan makeup of the 110th Congress has only shifted by 35 seats at this time, with power switching to the Democrats in both the House and Senate, the nation’s legislature will operate quite differently starting in January.
With Democrats now in charge of the calendar in both chambers, look for priorities to change. Newly elected Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has called for a minimum-wage hike early in the 110th Congress, as well as allowing Medicare and Medicaid to negotiate drug prices, and adopting the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations.
“It’s still critical for small business to be involved on Capitol Hill–now more than ever,” said NFIB Executive Vice President Dan Danner. “We will continue to work with all those who stand with small business to promote the priorities of NFIB members: affordable, accessible health care; lower, simplified taxes; and regulatory and legal environments that support instead of threaten the existence of small business.”
As small business looks toward the 110th Congress, some NFIB members still don't know who will represent them on Capitol Hill next year. Below are updates on races yet to be determined:
New Mexico 01
On Monday, incumbent Heather Wilson was leading Patricia Madrid by barely more than 1,100 votes, and Madrid has yet to concede. Nearly 1,500 provisional ballots remain to be counted, with results expected this afternoon. A recount is possible if the margin is small enough.
North Carolina 08
As of Monday, Rep. Robin Hayes led Larry Kissell by 449 votes, well within the margin necessary for Kissell to demand a recount. Once election results are certified–expected today–Kissell has already announced he plans to ask for a recount.
Ohio 02
Though incumbent Rep. Jean Schmidt holds a minor lead (at 50.51 percent) over challenger Victoria Wulsin, Wulsin has refused to concede, since provisional ballots will not be counted until next Tuesday. If Schmidt leads by a margin of less than 1 percent after all ballots have been counted, Wulsin will still be able to request a recount.
Ohio 15
Rep. Deborah Pryce leads challenger Mary Jo Kilroy by approximately 3,500 votes, with nearly 20,000 absentee and provisional ballots still to be counted. Final results are expected Nov. 27.
Runoffs
Louisiana 02
In Congressional District 2, William Jefferson and Karen Carter will face each other in a runoff election Dec. 9, 2006. Neither candidate is considered to have a significant edge in the race, as Jefferson received 30 percent of the vote and Carter received only 22 percent.
Texas 23
Because no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote, incumbent Henry Bonilla and challenger Ciro Rodriguez face a December runoff under special court-ordered redistricting rules for this election. On Nov. 7, Bonilla received the most votes, garnering 49 percent, and Rodriguez received the second most, approximately 20 percent. Both candidates have agreed to debate publicly, though dates have not yet been set.
Stay tuned to NFIB.com/politics for up-to-date election results and information.
