Today the National Federation of Independent Business, America’s leading small business association, announced its full support and endorsement of Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate at a campaign event in Tampa with Florida small business owners.
With so much focus on the high-profile races in Florida, the hotly contested seat will be watched closely this election cycle. NFIB’s support puts the active grassroots and financial backing from Florida’s small business owners behind Rubio, who is a proven pro-small business leader in Florida.
“For nearly a decade we have worked closely with Marco Rubio as he has defended and supported small businesses in the state legislature,” said Bill Herrle, NFIB/FL’s executive director. “Rubio has a nearly 100 percent lifetime pro-small business voting record with NFIB, which is easy proof that he is the right candidate for small business.”
With today’s endorsement, Rubio said, “I’m proud to stand with the NFIB and their 10,000 small business members in Florida. Small businesses need a voice in Washington who will be a check-and-balance against the policies that are taking our country in the wrong direction and putting up obstacles to job creation. We need a pro-growth and pro-jobs agenda that helps small businesses, not hurts.”
Rubio’s policy positions prove he is well-versed in the issues facing NFIB’s members and all small business owners in Florida and throughout the nation. He has been a vocal advocate against the recently passed healthcare law, and his positions on tax and spending policies are very much in line with NFIB’s membership.
“In a time when there is a lot of focus on helping small business, some leaders just talk about it and others actually find ways to deliver on it. We believe Marco Rubio is one of those leaders who will get results for our nation’s job creators,” said Lisa Goeas, NFIB’s vice president for political operations. “Marco Rubio has a proven track record and would be a welcome voice in the halls of Congress for Florida’s small businesses.”
There are approximately 10,000 NFIB small business owners in Florida, and even more small business employees and supporters, making this a significant endorsement in an important election year. The endorsement comes from NFIB’s Save America’s Free Enterprise Trust, the association’s political action committee, and is based on positions on key small business issues including healthcare, taxes, and labor and regulatory issues.
