NFIB endorses Gilbert’s Re-Election
Business groups cites Gilbert’s 100 percent voting record on small business issues
The nation’s largest small business advocacy group, the National Federation of Independent Business (NIFB) has announced that it has endorsed Delegate C. Todd Gilbert (R-Woodstock) in his bid for re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates. NFIB is also the largest small business organization in Virginia representing nearly 7,000 members statewide.
The NFIB noted that Gilbert has a 100 percent positive voting record on issues affecting small business. On the day the endorsement was announced, NFIB Virginia State Director Julia Hammond said, “Delegate Gilbert has a proven track record of supporting policies that allow small business to prosper. We are proud to support him once again for re-election.”
George Shaffer, local NFIB member and owner Shaffer’s BBQ and Catering, which has been in business in Woodstock since 1952, praised Gilbert, saying, “I gave Todd his first summer job as a teenager, and he worked for me until he graduated from law school. Todd knows the needs of local businesses here in the Valley and I’m proud to support him once again.”
Leroy Lancaster, a local NFIB member who has owned and operated Lancaster Enterprises in Luray since 1975, also voiced his support for Gilbert, adding, “Todd has been consistent about supporting policies that help small businesses grow. Higher taxes and more regulations have never been good for business or the jobs they create, and Todd understands that.”
Upon receiving the endorsement, Delegate Gilbert said, “Small business is the backbone of our local economy. Recently, Virginia was once again ranked as having the best business climate of any state. I believe that my votes in favor of small business have helped us attain this ranking. By continuing to support pro-business policies, we have laid the groundwork for Virginia to emerge from this recession more quickly than states that stifle business through oppressive taxes and regulations. As a result of our positive business climate, Virginia will be getting people back to work before the rest of the nation catches up.”
Delegate Gilbert was referring to the recent ranking by CNBC which named Virginia the America’s Top State for Business. Forbes magazine also ranked Virginia as the Best State for Business for the past three years.
Small business accounts for 98 percent of all Virginia employers and half of the state’s private-sector jobs, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Small Business Administration. NFIB’s political support is based on a candidate’s position and record on small-business issues. The endorsements come from the NFIB/Virginia SAFE (Save America’s Free Enterprise) Trust, the political action committee for NFIB/Virginia’s membership.
Today’s endorsements come on the heels of the Virginia Farm Bureau’s endorsement of Gilbert and puts considerable grassroots support of the state’s small businesses behind Gilbert’s campaign. Small business
owners and their employees vote in high numbers and are known for actively recruiting friends, family members and acquaintances to go to the polls.
Virginia’s 15th House District in comprised of Shenandoah, Page, and Rappahannock Counties, and the Swift Run precinct of Rockingham County. Election Day is on November 3rd.
To learn more about Todd’s views and plans for the Valley, visit his web site.
