The NFIB Alabama PAC said today it has endorsed Gov. Kay Ivey and Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth for second terms. The political action committee, which is comprised of NFIB members from throughout the state, also endorsed Attorney General Steve Marshall and Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate for reelection.

“It’s been a rough couple of years for small businesses here and throughout the country, beginning with the pandemic and continuing today with inflation, supply chain disruptions, and a labor shortage,” NFIB State Director Rosemary Elebash said.

“These leaders, though, have risen to the challenge,” Elebash said. “They guaranteed that Main Street businesses could remain open without endangering the health of their employees or their customers. They understand why small businesses matter to Alabama’s economy and maintained an environment that helped local businesses succeed.”

In addition, she said:

• “Governor Ivey helped Alabama’s small businesses get through the pandemic by approving the Alabama Small Business Grant and depositing funds into the state’s Unemployment Trust Fund to avoid a 500% unemployment tax increase for employers.”
• “Will Ainsworth chaired the effort to Reopen Alabama Responsibility Committee and made recommendations that helped the state’s business community by allowing them to reopen quickly. He also championed the legislative effort to repeal the minimum Business Privilege tax and eliminate the tax on the first $40,000 of business personal property tax.”
• “Steve Marshall has joined the NFIB Small Business Legal Center on several cases before the federal district courts resulting in important wins for small business owners.”
• “Commissioner Pate has provided steady oversight of two of the largest sectors for Alabama’s small businesses, farming and forestry.”

“That’s why I’m proud to announce the NFIB Alabama PAC is endorsing Kay Ivey, Will Ainsworth, Steve Marshall, and Rick Pate for reelection,” Elebash said.

Today’s endorsements put the considerable grassroots support of the state’s small businesses behind the campaigns. Small business owners and their employees vote in high numbers and are known for recruiting friends, family members, and acquaintances to vote. NFIB will encourage its Alabama members to help turn out the powerful small business voting bloc on Election Day.