Arizona Chamber Releases 2008 Candidate Endorsements and Ballot Initiative Positions

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2008

Contact: Ann Seiden

Arizona Chamber Releases 2008 Candidate Endorsements and Ballot Initiative Positions

Chamber weighs in on three ballot initiatives and endorses candidates for state legislature, Corporation Commission, and U.S. President

PHOENIX - Today the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, and Industry is pleased to announce its primary election endorsements for the state House, Senate, and Corporation Commission as well as general election endorsement for U.S. President. The Arizona Chamber will make endorsements for Congressional races after the primary election. At that time, supplemental endorsements for the general election may be made.

This year the state Chamber put in place a rigorous process for voting on and supporting ballot measures and individuals for elected office. Incumbent candidates were evaluated based on their voting record as it relates to the Arizona Chamber policy agenda. Challenger candidates were asked to complete a questionnaire about their policy positions before participating in a candidate interview with members of the Chamber Public Affairs committee and Board of Directors.

The Public Affairs committee made recommendations for candidates to the Board of Directors, which ultimately voted on the final endorsements. The Arizona Chamber requires that each initiative and candidate receive the support of 60 percent of the Board to receive an endorsement. This threshold ensures each endorsement carries strong support by an overwhelming majority of the Arizona Chamber Board of Directors.

Voting for ballot initiatives carries the same high standard. Representatives from the initiative campaigns were invited to make presentations to members of Public Affairs and the Board of Directors. The Board then voted to approve the final endorsements.

"We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the 2008 endorsement process," said Glenn Hamer, president & CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry. "Each of the endorsed candidates and ballot measures received overwhelming support of Chamber leadership on behalf of Arizona
businesses."

Mr. Hamer continued, "We are especially delighted to have the opportunity to endorse one of Arizona's favorite sons, Sen. John McCain for U.S. President. As a distinguished Senator and former recipient of the Arizona Chamber Heritage Award, Sen. McCain will represent Arizona and the nation well as the next President of the United States."

The full slate of Arizona Chamber candidate endorsements and ballot measure positions is listed below:

U.S. President
Senator John McCain - R

Arizona Corporation Commission
Bob Robson - R
Bob Stump - R
Barry Wong - R

State Senate
District 1: Steve Pierce - R
District 4: Jack Harper - R
District 5: Sylvia Tenney Allen - R
District 6: Pamela Gorman - R
District 7: Jim Waring - R
District 9: Bob Burns - R
District 10: Linda Gray - R
District 11: Barbara Leff - R
District 12: John Nelson - R
District 15: Ken Cheuvront - D
District 17: Jesse Hernandez - R
District 19; Chuck Gray - R
District 20: John Huppenthal - R
District 21: Jay Tibshraeny - R
District 22: Thayer Verschoor - R
District 24: Amanda Aguirre - D
District 27: Robert Westerman - R
District 29: Linda Lopez - D
District 30: Jonathan Paton - R

State House
District 1: Lucy Mason - R, Andy Tobin - R
District 3: Nancy McLain - R
District 4: Tom Boone - R
District 5: Jack Brown - D, Bill Konopnicki - R
District 6: Tony Bouie - R, Sam Crump - R
District 7: Ray Barnes - R, Nancy Barto - R
District 8: John Kavanagh - R, Michele Reagan - R
District 9: Debbie Lesko - R, Rick Murphy - R
District 10: Jackie Thrasher -D, Jim Weiers - R
District 11: Jon Altmann - R, Adam Driggs - R
District 12: Robert Blendu - R, Jerry Weiers - R
District 14: Chad Campbell - D, Robert Meza - D
District 16: Cloves Campbell - D
District 17: Mark Thompson - R
District 18: Cecil Ash - R, Steve Court - R
District 19: Kirk Adams - R, Rich Crandall - R
District 20: John McComish - R
District 21: Steve Yarborough - R
District 22: Robert Brown - R
District 23: Frank Pratt - R
District 24: Russ Jones - R
District 26: Trent Humphries - R, Vic Williams - R
District 27: Olivia Aero Bedford - D
District 29: Pat Colburn - R
District 30: Sharon Collins - R, Doug Posit - R

Ballot Initiatives
SUPPORT - Protect Our Homes

SUPPORT - United for Student Success

OPPOSE - Homeowners' Bill of Rights

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry is committed to advancing Arizona's competitive position in the global economy by advocating free-market policies that stimulate economic growth and prosperity for all Arizonans.