09/05/2008
CONTACT: Mike Diegel, 202-314-2004
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Federation of Independent Business, the nation's leading small business association, has endorsed U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake for reelection in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District.
The endorsement comes from NFIB's Save America's Free Enterprise (SAFE) Trust, the organization's political action committee, and is based on prior voting records to evaluate the candidates' views on legislative issues affecting small business.
"Representative Drake clearly understands the important role that small businesses play in our economy, and she has provided the leadership and vision to ensure that government fights for our concerns," said NFIB member Doug McDougal, Ph.D., CEO of London Bridge Trading Co. in Virginia Beach. "She will continue to be a strong voice for a pro-growth, pro-small business agenda when reelected."
"Representative Drake has been a reliable ally of small business since her election in 2004," said Lisa Goeas, NFIB's vice president, political. "She's someone who has consistently stood with small business owners in the struggle to provide entrepreneurs with affordable healthcare, less government intervention and meaningful tax relief."
Rep. Drake is a past winner of NFIB's Guardian of Small Business award, given to those members of Congress who vote to protect free enterprise.
Today's endorsement puts the considerable grassroots support of the state's small businesses behind the Drake campaign. 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. NFIB will encourage its members to help turn out the influential small business voting bloc on Election Day. According to NFIB polling data, small business owners and their employees make up 43 percent of registered voters in America.
