Contact: Jessica Burda, (608) 443-1952
This media release is also available on the GMCC website – http://www.greatermadisonchamber.com/about/press_room/45
Madison – For the first time in its history, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) has endorsed candidates for the Dane County Board of Supervisors. Representing more than 1,500 member businesses, the GMCC serves as a voice for businesses throughout the region.
The GMCC has previously endorsed candidates for Madison Common Council, where a majority of its members are located. The decision to endorse County Board candidates was part of a long-term strategic plan to be more engaged on regional issues.
“As a regional Chamber of Commerce, we need to advocate on regional issues,” said GMCC President Jennifer Alexander. “Candidates for Dane County Board have the opportunity to shape the business climate in the region and we want to support candidates that are working to better that climate.”
The endorsement process began when questionnaires were mailed to all candidates. All candidates that returned a completed questionnaire were then invited to endorsement interviews. Members of the GMCC Board of Directors, Small Business Advisory Council and Minority Business Advisory Council were invited to participate on the panels. Based on the panel recommendations and questionnaire responses, the final endorsement decisions were made by the GMCC Political Strategies Committee, a subcommittee of the Board of Directors.
Endorsements were not made in every race, in some cases because a district has more than one candidate that met criteria for endorsement. Decisions were not made based on political affiliations nor were they based on one particular issue.
The following candidates received GMCC endorsement:
3 – Don Imhoff
5 – Analiese Eicher
9 – Dianne Hesselbein
10 – Jeremy Levin
12 – Paul Rusk
15 – Ronn Ferrell
16 – Ryan Jennissen
18 – Melissa Sargent
20 – Duane Gau
21 – David Wiganowsky
22 – Dennis O’Laughlin
25 – Eileen Bruskewitz
26 – Sharon Corrigan
30 – Don Steinhauer
32 – Mike Willett
33 – Jack Martz
34 – Patrick Miles
35 – Dave Siitari
37 – Bob Salov
Many of the endorsed candidates are current or former small business owners, representing a variety of diverse industry perspectives. All of the endorsed candidates were able to demonstrate their commitment to work with businesses in their district to ensure they can grow and be successful.
“This shared commitment will resonate with voters on April 6,” Alexander said. “We are beginning to see signs of economic recovery but we must continue to focus on ways to create and retain quality jobs. I’m confident GMCC-endorsed candidates have the skills needed to meet that goal and build on Dane County’s reputation as a great place to live, work, play and do business.”
