NASHVILLE – The Tennessee chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business has endorsed mostly Republicans running in state Senate and House this fall.
The group, which is comprised of smaller businesses, is endorsing only Republicans in Senate contests, including two races in Southeast Tennessee, according to a NFIB news release.
Chattanooga Republican Todd Gardenhire, a financial advisor, picked up the NFIB’s endorsement in his Senate District 10 contest with Democrat Andrae` McGary, a Chattanooga city councilman. The district includes portions of Hamilton and Bradley counties.
In the open Senate District 16 contest, the NFIB endorsed Janice Bowling of Tullahoma over Democrat Jim Lewis of Kimball, a pharmacist. The seven-county district is comprised of Marion, Sequatchie, Grundy, Franklin, Coffee, Warren and Van Buren counties.
“NFIB supports candidates who understand how important it is to reduce burdens on small business,” said Jim Brown, state director of NFIB/Tennessee. “These candidates have consistently supported or pledged to support a lower tax environment and to improve our unemployment and workers’ comp systems.”