Chamber of commerce legislative endorsements
In the Sierra Vista Herald:
The Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors has, for the first time, chosen to endorse the candidacies of four individuals vying for state legislative offices:
• Patricia Fleming (D) Legislative District 25 state representative.
• Doug Sposito (R) Legislative District 30 state representative.
• Andrea Dalessandro (D) Legislative District 30 state representative.
• Marian McClure (R) Legislative District 30 state senator.
“The recommendations to endorse these four individuals were as a result of many factors but primarily for their pro-business views and ideas,” says Susan Tegmeyer, president and CEO of the Sierra Vista chamber. “These are candidates who care about the chamber’s mission as well as our endorsement for their campaigns.”
The chamber chooses to endorse individual candidates for office based on criteria set forth in the candidate endorsement policy. This may occur when significant differences are noted among the candidates as to their attitudes and views with respect to issues of importance to the business community.
For the legislative races, the chamber submitted a questionnaire focusing on issues important to members including: the formation of the Upper San Pedro Water District, the economic impact of Senate Bill 1070, state budgeting and tax credits for education, combating a negative view of the Legislature and plans to replace the Arizona Department of Commerce.
According to Tegmeyer, the chamber has chosen to endorse Andrea Dalessandro because she put a great deal of thought into addressing chamber concerns. “Andrea understands our issues such as water and the economic, rather than the political, impact of the border issues.” Sposito was chosen based on his longtime community business ties. “Doug speaks the language of business owners and he has business relationships here that would serve us well if he were elected.”
McClure and Fleming were both chosen based on their legislative record of support for area business. “Marian has proven to be a strong legislative advocate for our area in the past,” says Tegmeyer. “She’s always responsive to our issues and after the election she’s visible in our community and doesn’t forget that we’re here.”
Fleming was chosen based on her record on issues, specifically education at all levels including workforce development and education for Arizona veterans. In addition, she is a strong proponent of smart and sustainable growth, the chamber said.
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