(Note: This is a column written for the Knoxville Business Journal.)
Once upon a time, business engagement in campaigns for seats in the state Legislature was often a matter of choosing among self-described “conservative, pro-business Democrats” in primary elections. Then, a few years later, often it was a matter of backing a Republican over a Democrat in general elections.
Today we find the focus on Republican primary elections, as illustrated by the National Federation of Independent Business’ lineup of endorsements in the Aug. 7 election. The list from the group’s political arm also illustrates apparent contentment with the business-friendliness of the reigning GOP supermajority despite internal strife between what may be categorized as the establishment wing and the tea party wing.
In primary races, the NFIB has blessed 18 incumbent Republicans faced with challengers and only one nonincumbent — Ed Jackson, who has primary opposition in a quest to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Lowe Finney of Jackson in West Tennessee’s Senate District 27. In November, that’s one of the best chances for Republicans to further diminish the dwindling Democratic ranks in the Senate.
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