Category: California

Online Influence of the Action Fund's Latest Endorsements

10/22/2014

by Jason Langsner, Director of New Media and Communications

Last week the BIPAC Action Fund released its final set of candidate endorsements for 2014 (see below). To follow-up from those endorsements, the following Election Insights looks quantitatively at each endorsed candidate's race and provides a summary of how they are engaging with potential voters across social media as-compared-to the other party's candidate.

Candidates' social voices ranged from the high 40s to low 60s as defined by the Klout.com scale of influence, which goes up to 100. As points of comparison, Speaker of the House John Boehner's official channel (@johnboehner) has a score of 87 and President Obama's official channel (@barackobama) has a score of 99.

The range of those that like the candidates' pages on Facebook and follow them on Twitter ranges from a few hundred to an outlier of 128k. Some candidates are thus investing more in social and new media with their paid advertising strategy than others who are relying on organic growth and a content strategy that isn't promoted by ads. Counting followers though doesn't provide a true metric of how engaged the candidates are with their desired audience of potential voters. Klout is a bit better, but a true metric is to look at the sentiment of what is being said about the candidates. For instance in the Alaska Senate race, those sharing on social media about Dan Sullivan are posting at a 4:1 positive-to-negative ration; as-compared-to a 1:1 ratio for Begich (source: SocialMention.com).

Listening to the campaigns on social media helps to guide our strategy, but what impacts the strategy and makes a difference is the work being done on the ground by our members and partners. BIPAC itself has assets on the ground across the U.S. in key election states of importance to our private sector community. What we are seeing throughout the country in our grassroots political training workshops will provide the impact.

A Twitter channel cannot vote but the individual behind the online identity can - and BIPAC, plus our members and partners, want to make sure that private sector employees are registered and educated about the issues of importance to their job, company, and industry.

Employees Vote (and tweet) in 2014.

BIPAC Action Fund Final Endorsed Candidates' Online Voice

BIPAC Action Fund Final Endorsed Candidates' Online Voice

House Races You May Not Be Watching, But Should

10/1/2014

by Bo Harmon, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs

While Republicans are expected to expand their majority in the House due to a significantly higher number of Democrats facing competitive races and the Republican lean of the election cycle, there are always a few surprises on election night. Below are a few of the races that haven't topped most political radars, but are proving to be some of the most interesting contests in the country.

ME-2
Rep. Mike Michaud's (D) open seat features one of the most interesting political dynamics in the country for the business community. Maine has a history of centrist consensus builders like Rep. Mike Michaud, former Sen. Olympia Snowe (R), Sen. Angus King (I), Sen. Susan Collins (R) and former Sen. Bill Cohen (R). The Democrat nominee, 35 year old State Senator Emily Cain, seems cut from a similar cloth and has a reputation of open-door, consensus building in the state legislature admired even by her political opponents. Her voting record however is reliably progressive and pro-labor.   Bruce Poliquin, who beat an Olympia Snowe protégé in the primary with a tea-party oriented message on taxes and spending, is the Republican nominee who would likely be a reliable business vote. The district tilts slightly Democratic but as an open seat, it is very much a toss-up. The candidates involved leave the business community in a quandary: a Democrat who won't vote with you as frequently but can help build consensus to get things working better in Washington versus a more reliable vote.

CA-3
Democrat incumbent John Garamendi is facing Republican State Senator Dan Logue. Garamendi is a reliable vote for home state colleague Nancy Pelosi (D) and scored just 4% on BIPAC's Outline for Prosperity vote guide. Logue meanwhile has a perfect record with both NFIB and the CalChamber but more interesting is Logue's approach to public service. A good government reformer and consensus builder at heart, Logue does things like assembling a bi-partisan team to hold meetings with CEOs who have taken their businesses out of California and asking what, specifically, it would take for them to return to the state. He has used his position to force local governments to be more transparent in contracting which saved millions of tax dollars and created an even playing field for all.   Garamendi won in 2012 with less than 55% of the vote and Logue's Assembly district is almost wholly within the Congressional district. While it is a Democrat leaning seat, with an off-year electorate, an incumbent who is to the left of the voters and a reform oriented Republican with a record of bi-partisanship, CA-3 is a ripe opportunity for a surprise on election night.

IA-1
Rep. Bruce Braley (D) will need a big turnout in his home district to win his Senate race in what is considered the most heavily Democratic district in the state at D+5 and having voted for Pres. Obama with 56% of the vote in 2012. Dynamics on the ground however are making this one of the most interesting races in the country to watch. Democrat Speaker of the House Pat Murphy has a long, very adversarial relationship with the business community in Iowa and beat two other much more centrist Democrats to win the nomination. First time candidate Republican Rod Blum conversely was named Entrepreneur of the Year in Iowa for growing his software company from 5 employees to 325.   In this rural district, NFIB and the NRA are brand names that Democrats have always worked hard to court and both have endorsed Blum this year. An early September poll showed a two point race - closer than the open 3rd district seat which had been considered to be much more competitive. Blum has surprised many with his adept campaign ability and slow and steady work to win over voters. With Murphy so far to the left of the district and a popular Governor Branstad (R) driving turnout at the top of the ticket, Iowa's first district could be at the top of the list of races with a surprising result.

AR-2
In the race to fill the open seat of Rep. Tim Griffin (R), the business community quickly rallied around Republican banker French Hill and Democrats chose North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Henry Hays (who has one of the best candidate names of the cycle). On the surface, it seemed a safe bet to hold the seat for Republicans, but it has become one of the sleeper races the Democrats hope to pick off. It is Arkansas' most Democratic district and voted for Obama by 8 points more than any other Congressional District in the state. Senator Mark Pryor will be pushing a big Democratic turnout in Hays' Little Rock backyard if he is going to have a chance at reelection and Hays has focused like a laser on job creation, running some of the most effective TV ads of the cycle.   Observers in the state still give an edge to Hill, but Hays has proven to be a much more formidable candidate than anticipated and Hill's patrician demeanor in the most Democratic leaning district in the state COULD result in a surprise Democratic pickup in the deep south.

NY-11
You would think a Republican in a district carried by Barack Obama who was caught on camera threatening to kill a news reporter and being under FBI indictment would pretty much end his chances at reelection. If so, you aren't familiar with the political dynamics on Staten Island and Rep. Michael Grimm. Staten Island has always felt itself different and separate from New York, even voting to secede as recently as 1993. They are the picked on little brother who gets little but scorn from the rest of the cosmopolitan world capital. Michael Grimm is one of them. On a visceral level, he understands and relates to them - and vice versa. The district also has a couple of precincts in Brooklyn, which may as well be in Connecticut for the impact they have on the thinking of the district. It is from one of these precincts that Democrat Councilman Domenic Recchia hails. Staten Island has the highest percentage of Italian ancestry in the country according to the Almanac of American Politics. Grimm and Recchia both have Italian heritage, but Grimm's Staten Island roots and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's (D) unpopularity in the district may show that Grimm, despite the politics of the district, despite federal indictments, despite threats to reporters, has a real chance to hold his seat. If he does, it will be one of the most remarkable results of the election.

Primary Recap & BIPAC Action Fund Endorsements

9/10/2014

by Briana Huxley, Political Affairs

Senate:

NH: Former MA Senator Scott Brown won the Republican nomination with 50% of the vote. He is challenging Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D) in November.

House:

MA-06: Rep. John Tierney was defeated by Iraq War veteran and political newcomer Seth Moulton in Tuesday's primary. Moulton received 51% of the vote, Tierney, 40%. Scandal plagued Tierney, who faced his most competitive primary yet, barely won his 2012 re-election, winning by one point when President Obama carried the district by 11. Moulton now faces 2012 Republican nominee and BIPAC Action Fund endorsed former state Sen. Richard Tisei (R), one of the two openly gay Republicans running in 2014, who is known for his bipartisanship and working across the aisle.

NH-01: Former Mayor of Manchester and Rep. Frank Guinta won the Republican primary with 49% of the vote, with former UNH Business School Dean Dan Innis receiving 41%. Guinta previously won the seat in 2010 and was defeated in 2012 by Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D). They will face off again in November, in what is expected to be another competitive year for the district.

NH-02: State Rep. Marilinda Garcia won the Republican nomination with 50% of the vote. Garcia, who gained the support of the more conservative wing of the party, defeated former state Senator Gary Lambert. Republicans are excited about Marilinda, a 31 year old Hispanic woman, who has gained support across the Republican spectrum. While she has Tea Party support, she is also appealing to the business community. Rep. Ann Kuster (D) has the advantage in this race, but it is not one to count out.

BIPAC Action Fund Endorsements

Primary season is in the rearview and we are now only 55 days away from the general election. This next round of candidate endorsements, one Senate race and six House races, focus on key races that we expect to be competitive in November where one candidate is the preferred choice of the business community. If your PAC and senior leadership has not taken a side in these races, we would strongly encourage you to do so.

U.S. Senate

Mike McFadden (R- Minnesota): Businessman Mike McFadden is running to unseat Sen. Al Franken (D). Franken who has developed a workmanlike approach to service in the Senate, has not been particularly friendly to business, scoring only 20% on BIPAC's 112th Voting Record. First elected in 2008 by only a few hundred votes, Franken has often even voted against home state employer interests but has proven to be a prolific fundraiser and is running an aggressive campaign. Mike McFadden's background is largely financial services and he is currently on a leave of absence from his role of co-CEO at Lazard Middle Market and has the support of the local Minnesota business community. A Tim Pawlenty style campaigner, McFadden has also been endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Average polling has Franken leading by about 8 points but Obama is surprisingly unpopular in the state and Franken has continued to remain below 50% in his reelection numbers, a dangerous place for an incumbent with less than two months to go. www.mikemcfadden.com

U.S. House

Chris Gibson (R- NY 19): Congressman Gibson faces a general election challenge from investor Sean Eldridge (D). Gibson scored a 91% on BIPAC's 112th Congress scorecard and has been a reliable vote for the business community. A pragmatic Congressman and combat veteran, Gibson focuses primarily on fiscal and national security issues. This is a crossover district won by Obama in 2012. Eldridge, whose husband was a co-founder of Facebook, has generally self-funded his campaign and while he talks about working across the aisle, advocates issues that are among the most partisan and divisive and consistently opposed to business priorities. www.chrisgibsonforcongress.com

Dan Logue (R-CA 3): Assemblyman Dan Logue is running against Congressman John Garamendi (D) in the 3rd district. Logue was previously a county supervisor and business owner and one of the most intriguing candidates of the cycle. He has a perfect rating from NFIB and the California Chamber of Commerce, and is an active advocate for solutions oriented government. Garamendi, conversely, scored 4% on BIPAC's in the 112th Congress voting record and has demonstrated little interest in creating consensus solutions. Logue is a reformer at heart and has a history of very strong constituent advocacy and building bipartisan coalitions to battle corruption, incompetence and waste. President Obama won the 3rd district in 2008 and 2012, but in a midterm election this district has been known to be competitive. www.danlogue.com

Tom MacArthur (R- NJ 3): Businessman Tom MacArthur is running in the open seat to succeed retirement Rep. Jon Runyan (R). He faces Democratic nominee, Aimee Belgard (D) in the general election. This is another crossover district won by President Obama in 2012. MacArthur comes from a career in the insurance industry where he built and grew a small brokerage into a large multi-disciplinary company. He has been endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, NFIB, and the almost the entire local business community. www.tmac4congress.com

Dan Newhouse (R - WA 4): This is a top two primary state and two Republicans, Dan Newhouse and Clint Didier, advanced in the WA 4 open seat to replace retiring Rep. Doc Hastings (R). Newhouse is a farmer, former state representative, former state agriculture commissioner and has a demonstrated history of working with the business community in a bipartisan manner. Clint Didier is a former NFL lineman for the Washington Redskins and is endorsed by FreedomWorks and Ron Paul. When the retiring Doc Hastings announced his endorsement of Newhouse, Didier responded by saying he didn't want DC insider support and preferred "liberty loving patriots" to support his campaign. Much of the business community is rallying around Newhouse, especially due to his agriculture background. www.dannewhouse.com

Elise Stefanik (R - NY 21): Elise Stefanik is running to succeed Rep. Bill Owens (D). She faces Democratic candidate, Brooklyn-based grocer and filmmaker Aaron Woolf (D) who moved to the district for the campaign. 29 years old, Stefanik has an extensive small business and policy background, previously serving in the Bush administration and at the Foreign Policy Initiative. Stefanik is wrapping up the support of the local business community, including the New York State Builders Association and the New York State Automobile Dealers Association. She is also a member of the NRCC's Young Gun program. www.Eliseforcongress.com

David Young (R - IA 3): After a somewhat surprising convention win, Young faces Democrat Staci Appel in the race to replace retiring Congressman Tom Latham (R). Young was formerly the Chief of Staff to Senator Chuck Grassley (R) and is expected to operate in a similar manner. Young was one of the more business-oriented, mainstream candidates running in the GOP primary and his nomination certainly made this race more competitive. This district was carried narrowly by Obama in 2012. Young is gaining the support of the local business community, including the Iowa Corn Growers Association and Iowa Farm Bureau. www.youngforiowa.com

2014 Midterm Elections

7/30/2014

by Greg Casey, president and chief executive officer of BIPAC

Strange things can happen in the 90 days before an election.

The plethora of Washington political pundits have done their best to provide us with an endless stream of assessments of the 2014 elections. By looking at respective war chests of the party
campaign committees and some of the competitive campaigns, they give the financial advantage to the Democrats and their fundraiser-in-chief. The same pundits, aware of the second term woes of an incumbent President, analyzed the polling data and constructed a fall narrative which leans Republican.

Emerging from all this is the common understanding the GOP will hold the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and add a few seats to their margin. The GOP will gain anywhere from four to eight seats in the U.S. Senate. Thus, the big question remains unanswered and as of now, is unanswerable.

The average voter doesn't focus a lot on the fall elections until after summer vacations are over and the kids are back in school. That makes pre-labor day polling a trailing edge indicator rather than a reliable predictor. However, the upcoming Congressional August recess signals the beginning of the real fall campaigns.

Incumbents come face to face with constituents and insurgent candidates come face to face with incumbents. It is a revealing test for both. It is a time when the reality of "out there" sets in and begins to replace the party dogma in shaping fall campaigns. This is the period of time which has given rise to many transformational election dynamics: the Contract with America, the Tea Party and the ripples of eventual wave elections. So what should we be looking for in the next few weeks?

At some point in the next 60 days, public opinion solidifies on the big issues. Already, two thirds of the voters think the country is on the wrong track. Voters are unhappy with the President's handling of just about every current issue, let alone the chronic drag of Obamacare. Thus, over the next two months, Democrats are going to discover the President's 42% Real Clear Politics national approval rating is inflated. In perpetual swing states like Iowa, which is attuned to politics as few others, his approval is already at 40% and falling and it is unlikely to get any better. Democrats will increasingly be swimming against the tide of an unpopular President and an unlikable Senate Majority Leader. This is going to change the campaign dynamics. Watch for desperate candidates with troubling internal polling to begin turning toward more provocative positions.

Although republicans still have a brand problem, Democrats have an increasing base turnout problem. Currently 38% of voters have a "favorable" impression of Democrats compared to only 29% who feel favorable towards Republicans. Neither number is particular good. However, 76% of republican voters say they are "absolutely certain" to vote in November compared to only 67% of the democrats.

Although unemployment numbers suggest an economic revival, the GDP shrank nearly 3% in the first quarter and the average household wage is about where it was a decade ago. For the average voter, the economic revival isn't real and national statistics are unlikely to convince them otherwise. That is why democrats have turned their monetary advantage toward motivating their base by pushing social issues that may not play well in some of the more competitive Senate races: read war on women and gay marriage playing in Arkansas, Georgia, Alaska, Montana, Louisiana, Iowa, Kentucky and North Carolina. Their push of the impeachment rumor to motivate their base is unlikely to get much traction unless some clueless republican gives it credence, ala Akin and the war on women, 2012.

Moving down the home stretch, the bigger challenge for Senate candidates may have less to do with all this partisan politics than finding ways to appeal to state electorates looking for honest, genuine, level headed leadership. GOP candidates have to prove to a skeptical public they are ready to govern wisely by showing less intolerance and more positive vision. Democrats have to prove they aren't going to provide more of the same by blindly following the President and his agenda.

In the race for the U.S. Senate in Iowa, GOP candidate Joni Ernst will win because she is genuine Iowa. Congressman Bruce Braley played politics with his comments about Senator Chuck Grassley. Senator Mitch McConnell made his election more difficult by telling a job hungry electorate "economic development isn't my job." If Senator Mark Udall loses in Colorado, it will be because Cory Gardner stayed on a positive economic message while Senator Udall pandered to the social issues of the left. In deep blue Oregon, Dr. Monica Wheby may sneak up on Senator Jeff Merkley because she has a compelling story and his is more about politics. So on it goes.

From a realistic standpoint, the barn door is closed on Democrat hopes of retaking the U.S. House. In the race for control of the US Senate, the GOP has three pickups in the barn with eight tossups in the corral, six of which are Democrat held. There are another three possible surprises, none of which would accrue to the benefit of Democrats. All of these latter races will be candidate dependent and in each, signs will soon emerge as to which way they are headed. We will keep you posted.

BIPAC Action Fund - US House Endorsement Recaps

7/16/2014

By Briana Huxley, Director, Political Affairs

Like last week when we reviewed endorsed candidates for US Senate, we urge BIPAC members to support Action Fund endorsed candidate for US House as well. In each case, candidates met all of the following criteria:

Candidate has demonstrated a strong inclination towards working constructively with the business community to grow the economy, create jobs and support private sector growth.
The race is highly competitive and support of the business community could be decisive.
The candidate has had a personal meeting with a BIPAC Senior Staff person or Board member.
There is broad consensus amongst national business organizations, our state partner representing local businesses, BIPAC's Board of Directors and members with operations in the target state or district.

These are all pro-business candidates in races that need and deserve your support to ensure a pro-growth, pro-private sector oriented Congress. If your PAC and senior leadership has not contributed in these races, we would strongly encourage you to do so.

US House of Representatives
(in alphabetical order)

Don Beyer (D-VA 8): Advanced to general election
Don Beyer won the Democratic nomination for the open seat in this safe Democratic district.   Beyer, former Lieutenant Governor and car dealership owner, faced several candidates in the primary. He demonstrated a welcomed propensity to working with the business community to solve problems and grow the economy during his time as Lt. Governor. www.friendsofdonbeyer.com

Mike Bost (R-IL 12): Advanced to general election
State Rep. Mike Bost is running to unseat freshman Rep. Bill Enyart (D). This is a competitive race with the district being split pretty evenly between Democrat and Republican. Bost has a background in small business, having worked for Bost Trucking, owned by his father and uncle. He has a 79% (2011-2012) and 100% (2009-2008) rating from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Legislative Ratings. www.bostforcongress.com

Bradley Byrne (R-AL 1): Won special election
Byrne won the special election to replace Rep. Jo Bonner (R) and is now the Congressman from the 1st district. Bradley Byrne (R) is a business attorney and former state legislator and was tasked as CEO of the state's two year college system with reforming the system and restructuring its financial underpinnings. www.byrneforcongress.com

Buddy Carter (R-GA 1): Runoff election, July 22
State Senator Buddy Carter is running in the open seat vacated by Rep. Jack Kingston (R). Carter is in the runoff with Bob Johnson, a surgeon and Veteran.   Buddy, a pharmacist and businessman, has an A+ legislative rating from the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Bob Johnson is running as the tea party oriented candidate, and has been endorsed by the Senate Conservatives Fund and the Club for Growth. Johnson, known to put his foot in his month, recently said "I'd rather see another terrorist attack, truly I would, than to give up my liberty as an American citizen," referring to TSA screenings. Our Georgia state partner, the Georgia Association of Manufacturers strongly supports our endorsement. Carter was also endorsed by the US Chamber. www.buddycarterforcongress.com

Mike Coffman (R-CO 6): Advanced to general election
Rep. Mike Coffman faces a competitive general election with Democratic nominee, former Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff. This toss up race is a top Democratic target for 2014. Coffman is a good business ally in the House and scored 95% on BIPAC's 112th Congress voting record. During Romanoff's campaign for US Senate last election, he positioned himself distinctly to the left of current Democratic Senator Michael Bennett and actively opposed many key priorities of the Colorado business community. This is one of the most competitive districts in the country and one of the clearest distinctions between a pro-jobs, pro-prosperity consensus building candidate in Coffman and a hard left avowed opponent of the business community. www.coffmanforcongress.com

Mike Collins (R-GA 10): Runoff election, July 22
Mike Collins is running in the open seat vacated by Rep. Paul Broun (R). Mike Collins came in second place in the primary election and faces a runoff with Baptist Pastor and radio talk show host Jody Hice, who garnered 34% of the vote. Hice, who has been endorsed by the Tea Party Leadership Fund PAC and Citizens United Political Victory Fund, has stated a number of positions opposed by local, state and national business organizations. Hice is also the founder and President of Ten Commandments - Georgia, Inc., which describes itself as a "grassroots organization committed to the task of locating, educating, and motivating citizens to acknowledge God through knowing, obeying, and displaying the Ten Commandments." Collins, a businessman, owns and runs a trucking company and has gained the support of the business community.   Our Georgia state partner, the Georgia Association of Manufacturers strongly supports our endorsement. www.overhauldc.com

Barbara Comstock (R-VA 10): Advanced to general election
Delegate Barbara Comstock won GOP nomination in this competitive open seat. Comstock faced conservative firebrand, state Delegate Bob Marshall. Comstock has a 95% rating from the Virginia Chamber 2013 Legislative Scorecard and is gaining broad national and local GOP and business support for her nomination. In the general, Comstock faces Democratic nominee Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust. The district has a slight Republican edge, and went to Romney by 1 point in 2012 and Obama by 3 points in 2008. Comstock is supported by the National Association of Manufacturers, the US Chamber of Commerce, and many BIPAC members. www.barbaracomstockforcongress.com

Carlos Curbelo (R-FL 26): Primary, August 26
Miami-Dade School Board Member Carlos Curbelo is challenging Rep. Joe Garcia (D) in this toss up race. While the general election is expected to be highly competitive, Curbelo also has to make it through a GOP primary. Curbelo is the frontrunner, and has been endorsed by Jeb Bush, Lincoln Diaz-Balart and most of the Miami area business community. www.carloscurbelo.com

Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL 13): Advanced to general election
Freshman Rep. Rodney Davis (R) won the GOP primary and is now in a competitive general election race. He won with less than 1% of the vote in the 2012 general election. This is a swing district that went to President Obama in 2008 and Mitt Romney in 2012. Currently serving on the Agriculture and Transportation and Infrastructure committees, Davis has been a consistent business ally. Davis is also endorsed by the US Chamber and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and other Illinois business entities encouraged the BIPAC Action Fund's endorsement. www.ElectRodney.com

Carl DeMaio (R-CA 52): Advanced to general election
Carl DeMaio (R), a former city councilman and mayoral candidate, is a formidable challenger to freshman Rep. Scott Peters (D).   The two made it out of California's top two primary and will be competing in November.   DeMaio is gaining the support of the California business community and this race is expected to be extremely competitive. www.carldemaio.com

Bob Dold (R-IL 10): Advanced to general election
Former Rep. Bob Dold is challenging Rep. Brad Schneider (D). This is a rematch from the 2012 race where Dold lost to Schneider by less than 3,500 votes. Rep. Dold scored 82% on BIPAC's 112th Congress voting record while Schneider has not been a friend during his time in Congress. BIPAC's state partner, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce has also endorsed Dold. www.doldforcongress.com

Brian Ellis (R-MI 3): Primary, August 5
Businessman Brian Ellis is challenging Tea Party Rep. Justin Amash in the Republican Primary. Amash has not been a friend to the business community, especially for his part in the Tea Party led government shutdown and efforts to default on federal debt. He also opposed a balanced budget amendment and the Keystone XL pipeline. Ellis has a business and financial services background and the backing of the Grand Rapids business community and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. This race represents the business community taking an important symbolic stand in favor of pro-business candidates when they mount a primary challenge to non-business oriented candidates. www.ellis4congress.com

David Jolly (R-FL 13): Won special election
David Jolly won the competitive open seat to replace former Congressman Bill Young (R). This swing district voted for a Republican congressman but went to President Obama in 2008 and 2012. David Jolly (R) ran against former chief financial officer Alex Sink (D). Jolly, a government affairs professional and former chief counsel to Young, was supported by the local business community and The Florida Chamber of Commerce, BIPAC's state partner, and several of our national association member. www.DavidJolly.com

Ted Lieu (D-CA 33): Advanced to general election
State Senator Ted Lieu is running in the open seat to replace retiring Rep. Waxman. This seat is heavily Democratic and Lieu's candidacy provides an opportunity for the business community to elect a pro-business Democrat. Lieu has received the official endorsement of the Democratic Party and a number of business leaders in the district are supporting Lieu. www.tedlieu.com

Alex Mooney (R-WV 2): General election
Former Maryland State Senator Alex Mooney is running in the West Virginia 2nd Congressional District seat being vacated by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R). The Democratic nominee is Nick Casey, former Chairman of the WV Democratic Party and a major trial attorney in the state. Mooney has garnered the support of the business community in West Virginia based on his service in Maryland as well as the openly adversarial positions adopted by Casey. Mooney has consolidated support from a wide array of Republican groups, including the NRCC Young Guns program and the Senate Conservatives Fund. www.mooneyforcongress.com

Doug Ose (R-CA 7): Advanced to general election
Former Congressman Doug Ose (R) is running in the 7th district, challenging Rep. Ami Bera (D). Ose previously served three terms in the House, first elected in 1998. This is one of the most highly competitive general election races in the country. Ose is supported by the California Prosperity Project and the California Business Roundtable as well as several BIPAC members in the district. www.dougose.com

Colin Peterson (D-MN 7): Primary, August 12
Rep. Colin Peterson is running for re-election in a tough race. A member of the Blue Dog Coalition, he was first elected in 1990 and is currently the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee. Peterson scored 86% on BIPAC's 112th Congress voting record. www.petersonforcongress.com

Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID 2): Advanced to general election
Mike Simpson is the Republican incumbent running for re-election to his ninth term. He has been a strong supporter of the business community throughout his tenure in the House. Rep. Simpson has a perfect BIPAC voting record of 100% and sits on the House Appropriations Committee. Simpson was challenged in the Republican primary by tea party candidate and attorney Bryan Smith (R), but easily defeated him.   Simpson is safe in the general. www.simpsonforcongress.com

Eric Swalwell (D-CA 15): Advanced to general election
Freshman Rep. Eric Swalwell is running for re-election. In 2012, Swalwell defeated incumbent Rep. Pete Stark (D) in the general election. During his brief tenure in Congress, Swalwell has impressed the business community in California and nationally for his willingness to seek consensus solutions and actively bring all sides together for productive legislation. Many BIPAC members with operations in the district are strongly supporting Swalwell's reelection. www.swalwellforcongress.com

Richard Tisei (R-MA 6): Primary, September 9
Former State Senator Richard Tisei is challenging Rep. John Tierney (D) in a rematch of the 2012 race. The 6th district is Democratic at the Presidential level but was carried by Republicans for Senate and Governor. Tierney barely won in 2012 and remains vulnerable after past ethics troubles. Tierney scored 4% on BIPAC's 112th Congress Voting record and is not a business friendly candidate. Tierney also faces a primary challenger, veteran Seth Moulton in a late primary which make this an even better opportunity to replace him with a business-oriented advocate. www.tiseiforcongress.com

Andy Tobin (R-AZ 1): Primary, August 26
House Speaker Andy Tobin is looking to unseat Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D). This is a tossup seat that Kirkpatrick lost in her 2010 reelection bid and won back in 2012. Tobin is a small business owner who has the backing of the local business community, such as the Arizona Restaurant Association. Other Republican candidates include State Rep. Adam Kwasman, and rancher Gary Kiehne. www.andytobin.com

Dave Trott (R-MI 11): Primary, August 5
Businessman Dave Trott is challenging Rep. Kerry Bentivolio in the Republican primary. Bentivolio is a self-proclaimed tea party candidate who is not a friend of the business community. He did note vote to reopen the government during the shutdown. Trott has a business background and has created and saved 1,800 jobs in southeast Michigan. Trott has gained the backing of the business community, including the US Chamber of Commerce and our state partner, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. He has also recently gained the endorsement of Mitt Romney. www.trottforcongress.com

David Valadao (R-CA 21): Advanced to general election
Rep. Valadao is a House freshman running for re-election. Valadao is a Republican sitting in a district that President Obama (D) won by 11 points in 2012. Amanda Renteria (D), former Chief of Staff for Senator Stabenow is challenging Valadao. The 21st district is known for its farming and agriculture, especially dairy, and Valadao has a solid background in dairy farming, as a managing partner of Valadao Dairy, which he started with his brothers. A friend to the business community, Valadao has previously been endorsed by BIPAC. The endorsement is supported by virtually all BIPAC members with California operations, as well as the Cal Chamber and California Prosperity Project. www.valadaoforcongress.com

Lee Zeldin (R-NY 1): Advanced to general election
State Senator Lee Zeldin is running in New York's 1st Congressional District against Rep. Tim Bishop (D). In the primary, he faced and beat self-financing right wing candidate George Demos. Zeldin has the support of the state and local business community based on his leadership in the State Legislature where he has chaired the committee that deals with most business issues. In the general election, Zeldin faces Congressman Tim Bishop who scored 13% and 20% on BIPAC's 112th and 111th Voting Records, respectively, and is facing an FBI investigation into influence peddling. Zeldin has a 90% rating from The Business Council of New York State 2012 Voters' Guide and is a member of the NRCC Young Guns program. This is a competitive race, in an R+2 district. Bishop won by 4% in 2012. www.zeldinforcongress.com

AP: "U.S. employers post most jobs in 7 years..."

7/8/2014

Another strong sign that private sector job creators are showing increased confidence in our recovering economy...

U.S. employers advertised more jobs in May than in any month in the past seven years, a sign that this year's strong hiring trend is likely to continue.

More Americans also quit their jobs, a good sign because it usually occurs when workers find new and higher-paying jobs. It also opens up more positions for those out of work.

Employers posted 4.64 million jobs, a 3.8 percent increase from April's total of 4.46 million, the Labor Department said Tuesday.

Learn more in today's Associated Press story, "U.S. employers post most jobs in 7 years in May; more Americans also quit in sign of confidence."

U.S. Adds 288k Jobs and Unemployment Drops to 6.1%

7/3/2014

The June jobs report from the BLS is out. Following a positive ADP report, we see an increase of 288,000 non-farm private sector jobs added to the economy.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that:

May's gain was revised up to 224,000 from 217,000, while April's improvement was upgraded to 304,000 from 282,000. That was the strongest gain since January 2012.

The revised reports from May and April, plus June's official U.S. Department of Labor stats continue to show promise that we are rebounding. As I write this blog post, CNN also reported that the Dow surpassed the psychological 17,000 today.

Although job gains are still mostly coming from the traditional low-paying sectors: retail (+40k) and leisure and hospitality (+39k), economists and analysts continue to show increased confidence due to the skilled laborer increases - such as manufacturing (+16k) and construction (+6k).

To learn more, read WSJ's story from today by Jonathan House and Ben Leubsdorf.

CNN: "House Republicans elect McCarthy to take Cantor's job"

6/19/2014

House GOP Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was elected the new Majority Leader today by secret ballot.

Learn more in the CNN story, "House Republicans Elect McCarthy to take Cantor's Job."

USA Today - "Job openings soar to highest since 2007"

6/17/2014

Good news from the U.S. Department of Labor, via today's USA Today story, "Job Openings Soar to Highest Since 2007" by Doug Carroll:

Tuesday's report comes from Labor's monthly Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, which is closely followed by economists and Federal Reserve policymakers for its insights into labor market trends.

The report shows openings grew in every region of the country in April. The sharpest improvement was in the Midwest, where openings increased 13% from March and topped a seasonally adjusted 1 million for the first time since August 2001.

The South led in total openings, as it always does, with 1.6 million seasonally adjusted. In the West, openings were about 1 million and in the Northeast, 771,000.

To learn more about this report, please visit http://www.bls.gov/jlt/.

The Fight for (Exports and) Jobs

6/12/2014

Exports supported 11.3 million U.S. jobs in 2013. This is an increase of 1.6 million since 2009. Learn about the fight for jobs, supported by exports, from the CNH Industrial Digital Trade Toolbox and CNH Industrial’s Joseph Samora.

The CNH Industrial Digital Trade Toolbox includes a tool so you can make your voice heard in the fight for jobs that are supported by exports. Visit www.cnhindustrialtrade.com and click on the “Write to your Congressperson” link to help support the re-authorization of the U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) before its authorization expires on September 30. In 2013, Ex-Im helped to finance $37 billion in U.S. export sales, supporting approximately 205,00-0 export-related American jobs.