08/22/2008
CONTACT: Troy Nichols, 360-786-8675 or Tony Malandra, 415-664-9685
Poll of NFIB members shows 88 percent support for state's top law-enforcement official
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The state's leading small business association today endorsed the state's top prosecutor for re-election.
In making its endorsement of Attorney General Rob McKenna, the National Federation of Independent Business Washington SAFE Trust, the political action committee of NFIB/Washington, praised him for the helping hand he has extended to small business in his past four years in office.
"When we endorsed Rob McKenna last time, we noted his success in reducing property taxes as King County Councilman and speculated he would be better for small business than his opponent," said Troy Nichols, NFIB/Washington state director. "We need not speculate anymore. The record is in and Rob McKenna has proved himself to be a great friend and valuable ally for the state's mom-and-pop enterprises that employ more workers and generate more jobs than big business, big labor or big government."
A fax and e-mail poll of Washington state NFIB members conducted late last month showed 88 percent support for McKenna. His opponent, Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg drew 2 percent and 10 percent were undecided.
"Our members are well aware of his accomplishments and sincerely appreciative of them, especially considering that the Office of Attorney General is not one that has to necessarily bother with small business issues outside civil and criminal contexts," said Nichols. "His Law Enforcement Group Against Identity Theft is helping small businesses reduce the risk of data losses that can result in identity theft. As Attorney General, McKenna has been a strong advocate for tort reform to reduce lawsuit abuse. He defended the voter-approved Initiative 747, which capped property taxes, in the state Supreme Court, and is currently fighting attempts to circumvent the rule that requires two-thirds majorities on votes for increasing taxes and fees."
Nichols also noted that while state constitutional offices below governor don't often receive endorsements from NFIB, the increasingly hostile composition of the state legislature -- one likely to continue next year and beyond -- made supporting friends in down-ballot jobs much more important.
