The National Federation of Independent Business announced its endorsement for Alabama’s two highest-ranking elected officials Wednesday.
NFIB Alabama PAC, which supports the interests of the state’s small business community, is supporting Gov. Kay Ivey and Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth in their bids for re-election.
Additionally, the organization announced its endorsement of Attorney General Steve Marshall and Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate.
In a news release, NFIB State Director Rosemary Elebash praised the officeholders’ support of Alabama small businesses during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s been a rough couple of years for small businesses here and throughout the country, beginning with the pandemic and continuing today with inflation, supply chain disruptions, and a labor shortage,” said Elebash.
“These leaders, though, have risen to the challenge. They guaranteed that Main Street businesses could remain open without endangering the health of their employees or their customers. They understand why small businesses matter to Alabama’s economy and maintained an environment that helped local businesses succeed.”
Elebash detailed the efforts of Ivey and Ainsworth to ensure small businesses received necessary support from the state in maintaining operations during the pandemic.
“Governor Ivey helped Alabama’s small businesses get through the pandemic by approving the Alabama Small Business Grant and depositing funds into the state’s Unemployment Trust Fund to avoid a 500% unemployment tax increase for employers,” she said.
“Will Ainsworth chaired the effort to Reopen Alabama Responsibility Committee and made recommendations that helped the state’s business community by allowing them to reopen quickly. He also championed the legislative effort to repeal the minimum Business Privilege tax and eliminate the tax on the first $40,000 of business personal property tax.”
Regarding the work of Marshall and Pate, NFIB’s state director said the elected officials utilized their offices to support Alabama’s small business community.
“Steve Marshall has joined the NFIB Small Business Legal Center on several cases before the federal district courts resulting in important wins for small business owners,” said Elebash. “Commissioner Pate has provided steady oversight of two of the largest sectors for Alabama’s small businesses, farming and forestry.”
“That’s why I’m proud to announce the NFIB Alabama PAC is endorsing Kay Ivey, Will Ainsworth, Steve Marshall, and Rick Pate for reelection.”
Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
