Chet Edwards For Congress

August 28, 2006
Edwards wins business endorsements

Cleburne Times Review
By By Matt Smith | Staff Writer

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, has won endorsements from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business.

U.S. chamber Regional Executive Director Peter Havel and NFIB State Director Will Newton joined Edwards at his Cleburne campaign office Friday to announce endorsements. Edwards faces Republican opponent Van Taylor in the race for the District 17 congressional seat.


Jessica Schafer, communications director for Edwards, called the endorsement a turnaround from the 2004 contest, when both organizations endorsed Edward’s opponent at the time, Arlene Wohlgemuth.

“The endorsements represent a blow to the Van Taylor campaign since both non-partisan organizations generally endorse Republicans,” Schafer said.

Havel and Newton both characterized Edwards as a strong friend to business and touted his efforts to abolish the estate tax, make health care more affordable and reform class-action lawsuits.

Cleburne businessman Lowell “Stretch” Smith also spoke in Edward’s behalf.

“When it comes to Chet, the proof is in the pudding,” Smith said. “He has done so much for this county.”

Edwards said he was proud to have the endorsement of both organizations.

“The chamber and NFIB are important to me because they are strong grass roots organizations that represent thousands of small businesses throughout our district,” Edwards said. “Fighting for economic development and new jobs for our communities has always been a top priority of mine, because I believe having a good job is an important family value and the key to realizing the American dream of providing a better life for our children and families.”

Taylor disagreed that the endorsements represent a blow to his campaign.

“Chet has been in Congress for 16 years,” Taylor said. “Of course they are going to endorse the incumbent. National organizations might be able to look past Chet voting twice against President Bush’s tax cut packages of $550 billion and $350 billion, which stimulated our economy, or his opposition to the Tax Relief, Simplification and Equity Act of 2003, which included tax breaks to military personnel. But local business leaders and owners, as well as families throughout the district are telling me that they are fed up with Chet Edwards and his record of saying one thing in Texas and doing another in Washington, and this November they are going to hold him accountable.”

Taylor’s press secretary, Mike Spellings, accused Edwards of making a career out of telling people one thing and doing another in Washington.

“The Van Taylor campaign will continue to hold Edwards accountable for his votes and his failed and liberal record in Congress,” Spellings said. “Perhaps, instead of producing spin, he should tell the citizens of central Texas why he voted against those major tax cuts that have stimulated our robust economy and helped so many small businesses.”

Chris Turner, Edwards’ campaign manager called Taylor’s response untrue.

“That’s a false statement, and Van Taylor knows it,” Turner said. “Both these groups endorse the candidate with the best pro-business record and who have been effective with local businesses in the district. And that candidate is Chet Edwards.”