Campaign 2010

Minn. Chamber of Commerce endorses Tom Emmer

by Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's political action committee has endorsed Republican Tom Emmer's campaign for governor.

The Chamber's Leadership PAC voted earlier Wednesday to back Emmer over IP candidate Tom Horner and Democrat Mark Dayton.

Chamber PAC Director Mike Franklin said the board was impressed with Emmer's plan to erase a nearly $6 billion budget deficit without raising taxes.

"It comes down to which candidate is best for business and best for jobs in Minnesota [and] which candidate is going to turn this economy around," Franklin said. "Our board has decided that Tom Emmer is that candidate."

Franklin wouldn't say whether the board's vote was unanimous. He said both Emmer and Horner screened before the Board. Mark Dayton declined to be interviewed.