The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is throwing its weight behind Todd Young (R-9th) in the race for Indiana’s open U.S. Senate seat. The Chamber’s endorsement comes about a month before Young will face off against Marlin Stutzman (R-3rd) in May’s primary.
The U.S. Chamber – along with its Indiana counterpart – calls Todd Young a “consistent, constructive conservative.” Young says the Chamber’s support sends a signal that his leadership will help Hoosiers find good jobs.
“We have a broad spectrum of support from Tea Party Patriots to suburban soccer moms to our nation’s employers,” Young says.
Marlin Stutzman says the Chamber’s endorsement is, in his words, “DC insiders and crony capitalists” propping up what he calls an “establishment” campaign. U.S. Chamber senior vice president Rob Engstrom notes Stutzman asked for the Chamber’s endorsement last year. He says the group is backing Young because of his record.
“He’s an effective conservative who actually gets things done,” Engstrom says. “Anybody can say that they’re conservative on economic issues.”
The Indiana Democratic Party echoes Stutzman’s attack, calling the endorsement a “bailout” of what it says is Young’s “failing” campaign.
