National Chamber Of Commerce Endorses Johnson

A top official with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce toured Wisconsin with Sen. Ron Johnson on Wednesday, after the Republican incumbent received the group’s first endorsement for the 2016 election.

The business group’s endorsement highlights the differences between Johnson’s beliefs and those of his opponent, former Sen. Russ Feingold. Rob Engstrom, the senior vice president and national political director for the chamber, said the group’s “stated goal is to restore, maintain a pro-business majority in the Senate of the United States and in the House.”

Engstrom said the Chamber of Commerce is prepared for the campaign season, beginning with Johnson.

“It is notable that our first stop for the U.S. Senate is here with our friend Sen. Ron Johnson. So we’re prepared for that fight, mano-a-mano, in each Senate race across the country,” said Engstrom.

Johnson, who owns a manufacturing business, has often made the case that federal regulations stifle economic development.

In a written statement, Feingold’s campaign said that “instead of listening to the people of Wisconsin, Senator Johnson is auditioning to get more national corporate money to bail out his campaign.” It also said that Johnson is relying on super PAC money and outside groups.

Johnson told reporters that Feingold looks for government solutions to problems.

“Senator Feingold doesn’t have a clue about the private sector,” he said. “He doesn’t know how hard business is. He doesn’t know how hard his government regulations that he supports is making it for those people working 60 hours a week for themselves and the people that work with them.”

Johnson said he’s worked to reduce regulations on logging and to de-list the grey wolf from the endangered species list. He also cited his work as chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.