The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced on Thursday it was backing Miami-Dade School Board member Carlos Curbelo, the Republican challenger, over U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., in what is expected to be a tightly contested race.
Moore Hallmark, the U.S. Chambers executive director for the southeast, praised Curbelo on Thursday.
At no other time in our countrys history is it more important for our elected officials in Washington to understand that business isnt the problem but a big part of the solution, said Hallmark. We need leaders with the courage to govern and thats why were proud to stand with Carlos Curbelo today. Carlos is the kind of leader willing to fight for business and will get America back to work by strengthening the free-enterprise system.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognizes that families and small businesses across South Florida are eager for a healthier economy rich in jobs, opportunity, and economic growth, Curbelo said. That is why I am honored to receive their endorsement for Floridas 26th Congressional District where I continue to share my vision to empower individuals and small businesses by fighting for government reforms that will create more jobs, protect Medicare and Social Security, and expand opportunity for all Americans.
After the U.S. Chamber endorsed Curbelo on Thursday, Miguel Salazar, a spokesman for Garcia, fired back. Salazar noted the U.S. Chamber backed scandal-plagued then-U.S. Rep. David Rivera, R-Fla., over Garcia back in 2012.
The U.S. Chamber backed David Rivera, and now theyre backing Carlos Curbelo -- that should tell you everything you need to know about what this endorsement means, Salazar said.
Salazar pointed to remarks Curbelo made at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and tried to tie them to the U.S. Chamber.
After Carlos Curbelo was caught calling Medicare and Social Security a ponzi scheme, its no wonder that these sorts of partisan groups who share Curbelos self-interested political agenda are rushing in to try and prop him up, Salazar said.
The U.S. Chamber has generally been backing Republicans in the 2014 congressional races though it has endorsed some Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
