Rep. Scott Peters announced Wednesday that the influential U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed him rather than his Republican opponent Carl DeMaio for election to Congress.
The chamber, which bills itself as “the world’s largest business federation” said in a letter to Peters that it would encourage the business community “to vigorously support your candidacy.” It has endorsed only three other Democrats in Congressional elections this year.
“It is the chamber’s goal to help elect a pro-business majority in Congress…Your record of support on pro-business issues earned this endorsement,” the chamber said.
Dave McCulloch, a spokesman for the DeMaio campaign, said his candidate had sought the chamber’s endorsement, but wasn’t surprised by the outcome. He dismissed the chamber as a “big organization with ties to special interests.”
Peters was joined by other members of the San Diego business community Wednesday in announcing the chamber’s endorsement. He said he was proud of the endorsement and would work to build consensus in Congress.
“I don’t really care if an idea comes from a Republican or a Democrat. I only care if it’s a good idea,” he said.
He said the chamber’s endorsement of a Democrat in the race for the 52nd District reflects the business community’s concern with last year’s government shutdown and the battle over the debit limit that threatened the economic recovery.
“What the U.S. Chamber has realized is that you can’t count on someone just because they’re a Republican,” Peters said.
The 52nd District covers much of central San Diego County including Poway, Coronado and large portions of the City of San Diego.
