10/03/2008
CONTACT: Jim Brown, 615-337-5507 or Todd Pack, 615-872-5897
Small business endorses in House District 78 race, praises leader for exceptional support of small business
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The National Federation of Independent Business, Tennessee's leading small business association, has endorsed incumbent Phillip Johnson in the 78th House District race. The endorsement was made by NFIB/Tennessee SAFE (Save America's Free Enterprise) Trust, which is comprised exclusively of NFIB members.
NFIB also presented its coveted "Guardian of Small Business" award to Rep. Johnson, a small business owner, for his outstanding voting record and leadership on behalf of Tennessee's small-business owners. NFIB/Tennessee State Director Jim Brown made the presentation to Rep. Johnson today at NFIB member Steele Saddle Tree in Ashland City.
Rep. Johnson, who has a perfect 100 percent NFIB voting record the last six years, has been a stalwart supporter of free enterprise. Of note, Johnson co-sponsored an important 2008 bill (House Bill 4066) that allows the formation of small group health cooperatives for the purpose of obtaining health insurance.
"The record shows Rep. Johnson is a true champion of small business, having stood strong on many key small-business votes," Brown said. "The Guardian of Small Business award reflects our members' appreciation of Representative Johnson for supporting NFIB's pro-growth agenda for small business.
"Small business is the cornerstone of Tennessee's economy, and it's critically important to have a General Assembly that supports free enterprise. Phillip Johnson is a leader in helping small business have improved access to affordable healthcare and believes in better fiscal responsibility, a sensible workers' compensation system and less regulation."
"I truly appreciate receiving NFIB's endorsement and their Guardian of Small Business award," Johnson said. "I believe it's crucial that state government do everything it can to help Tennessee's small businesses continue to grow and create jobs. When we help entrepreneurs and small, family-owned businesses succeed, we help make Tennessee's economy stronger."
NFIB's endorsement is critical to the Johnson 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 has pledged it will activate its grassroots network on behalf of Rep. Johnson's campaign. NFIB's political support is based on the candidates' positions and records on small business issues.
