CEO DATELINE - Associations assess their congressional, state victories after elections
CEO DATELINE - Associations assess their congressional, state victories after elections
- November 14, 2016 |
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Walt Williams
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At least three different business groups said they had a pretty good election year when it came to ensuring their candidates were elected to office.
In a statement issued the day after the Election, U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donohue noted that 95 percent of House and Senate candidates endorsed by his group won their races.
"To help achieve this result against very long odds, the Chamber actively engaged in the most challenging races through advertising, close partnerships with state and local chambers who helped drive home our jobs and growth message in their communities, and a strong presence in digital and social media," Donohue said.
The Chamber spent millions of dollars helping what it viewed as business-friendly candidates win office. Another group that traditionally spends big during elections—the National Association of Realtors—reported that 90 percent of the candidates it endorsed in federal, state and local races were elected, according to the real estate news site Inman.com.
"It was a great night for us," said Jerry Giovaniello, NAR's senior vice president of government affairs.
NAR spent $25 million through its political action committee on 426 House races and 32 Senate races. It spent another $17 million on candidates at the state and local level. http://bit.ly/2gaFH3g
Another election night winner was the Outdoor Industry Association, which concentrated on 15 House races and five Senate races. All but four won their elections.
Also, for the first time this year, OIA endorsed two gubernatorial candidates: Steve Bullock of Montana and Sue Minter of Vermont, both Democrats. Bullock won re-election while Minter lost her bid to defeat Republican Phil Scott, who will succeed Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin early next year. http://bit.ly/2fSLPuH
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