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June 21, 2010                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
517-853-6453     
kbeltzer@lansingchamber.org 

(Lansing, MI) – The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee (LRC-PAC) has endorsed Pete Hoekstra (R-Holland) and Virg Bernero (D-Lansing) in the gubernatorial primary races on August 3.

“Pete Hoekstra’s record in Congress the past 18 years offers convincing evidence that he can transfer his proven leadership skills to the office of Governor,” said Kristin Beltzer, LRCC senior vice president Government Relations and Public Affairs. “Congressman Hoekstra’s experience in the public sector combined with his outstanding business background offer the type of leadership that is needed at the helm of state government.

In one of the major upsets of Michigan election history, Pete Hoekstra defeated a twenty-six year Republican incumbent in the congressional primary of 1992.  He has since been elected to nine consecutive terms in the House of Representatives. In the U.S. House, Hoekstra has served on numerous committees including Education and Labor, Budget, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Prior to election to Congress, Hoekstra had a successful 15-year business career with Herman Miller, Inc in Zeeland.

“Virg Bernero has a demonstrated track record of strong leadership and vision for economic development,” said Kristin Beltzer, senior vice president Government Relations and Public Affairs for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce.  “He has worked well with the business community over the years and has demonstrated great fiscal responsibility in balancing the city budget without raising taxes.”

During his tenure as mayor of Lansing, Bernero’s leadership has helped leverage more than a half-billion dollars in new economic investment that has retained and/or created more than 5,000 full-time jobs.  Mayor Bernero successfully pushed for the $182 million redevelopment of the historic Ottawa Street Power Station in downtown Lansing, which will become the new national headquarters of the Accident Fund Insurance Company of America.

LRC-PAC Board members voted to endorse Bernero and Hoekstra after evaluating extensive questionnaires completed by several of the candidates and individual interviews.

LRC-PAC is the nonpartisan political action committee of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce representing 900 businesses in Lansing and over 1,400 businesses in the tri-county region. The LRC-PAC objective is to endorse candidates committed to the principles of free enterprise, economic growth and a pro-business philosophy.