02/ 11/ 2008
While it's still early in the election cycle, a wave of retirements coupled with an anti-incumbent electorate is beginning to shape what may be a difficult 2008 election for friends of small business.
As of mid-December, 17 Republicans and five Democrats had announced they will not run for reelection. Among them are staunch small-business allies U.S. Rep. Deborah Pryce (Ohio) and former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (Ill.). More retirements are likely before election filing deadlines are reached.
Open seats tend to be easier for one party to capture from the other; many pundits are predicting that the Democrats will widen their House majority in the 111th Congress.
At the same time, 60 percent of Americans say they disapprove of the way Congress is doing its job, according to a December ABC News/Washington Post poll; only 32 percent say they approve.
The climate has opened the door to a new breed of candidates, typically younger, and at least 15 Iraq War veterans have announced plans to run. On the plus side, this represents an opportunity for NFIB and our members to engage the candidates and campaigns and educate them about critical small-business issues such as affordable health care and permanent tax relief.
We'll keep you up to date with election developments—both nationally and in your state and district—with the resources and information available at www.NFIB.com/politics.
