Facing a tough challenge from Democratic candidate Gwen Graham, U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla., is getting help from the NFIB. On Tuesday, the organization unveiled an online election site to help Southerland and began a digital ad campaign on his behalf.
?Increasing federal regulations, rising health-care costs, and higher taxes streaming out of Washington continue to punish small businesses in Florida,"? said Lisa Goeas, a vice president of the NFIB. ?We need candidates like Steve Southerland in Congress, who understand the struggles of small businesses and will stand up and fight for policies that allow Main Street to grow and prosper.?
The NFIB waded into one of the most competitive congressional races in the nation on Wednesday when it backed Miami-Dade School Board member Carlos Curbelo, the Republican candidate challenging U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., in November.
?Carlos Curbelo is the clear pro-small business candidate in this critical race for Florida?s 26th Congressional District,"? said Bill Herrle, the NFIB Florida? chapters executive director. ?Carlos has proven that he is committed to standing up for pro-growth policies and fighting to reduce the burdens placed on small business by the federal government, and we'?re confident he will be a dependable voice for the small business in Washington, D.C."
The NFIB also backed Republican congressional incumbents from Florida who are not expected to face competitive elections come November. On Wednesday, the NFIB announced it was endorsing Gus Bilirakis, Vern Buchanan, Mario Diaz-Balart, Ron DeSantis, David Jolly, John Mica, Jeff Miller, Rich Nugent, Bill Posey, Tom Rooney, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Dennis Ross, Dan Webster and Ted Yoho. Back in August, the NFIB endorsed U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., for re-election. The NFIB did not endorsed U.S. Rep. Curt Clawson, R-Fla., or any Democrats in the Florida delegation.
We support the candidates who support small business, and each of these candidates has a stellar voting record on smal- business issues,? said Herrle. ?Small-business owners are an important constituency, and we'?re proud to endorse these candidates based on their dedication to pro-business policies and reducing burdensome regulation. We?'re confident that they will continue to be dependable voices for small business in Washington, D,C.?
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
