Ohio Chamber of Commerce Endorses Widener

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Group feels Widener will work to develop policies that will stimulate investment, growth, and job creation in the Buckeye State

SPRINGFIELD, OH (08/26/2008) - The Ohio Chamber of Commerce has announced its endorsement of Chris Widener, candidate for the Ohio State Senate.

"Based on his experience in the private business sector, as well as his legislative voting record, Chris Widener is the clear choice in the race for the 10th Senate District," said Keith Lake, Director Political and Candidate Education for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. "Widener has demonstrated both the best understanding of the issues of concern to our state's employers and the highest commitment to working to achieve a strong economy and favorable business climate in Ohio"

"I often wish more of my colleagues owned a small business so they'd better understand the burden of intrusive government," Widener said. "As state senator, I'll continue cut taxes and protect our local jobs by eliminating red tape."

Widener has voted to in support of Chamber backed bills 49 of 50 times. The one bill he voted against the Chamber was his Payday Lending bill that lowered the intrest rate payday lenders could charge from 391% to 28%. This endorsement comes in recognition of that outstanding pro-business record and his commitment to removing unnecessary government regulations so businesses can flourish and stimulate Ohio's economy.

Widener is a licensed architect and has owned his own firm for more than 18 years. Prior to starting his own business he was the first full-time Historic Preservation Officer at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and served as a civil service architect.

Widener currently represents Madison County and portions of Clark and Greene Counties in his fourth term as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. As a legislator, he worked to cut personal income taxes by 21 percent, provided much needed prescription drug coverage for 1.4 million Ohio seniors without any additional costs to taxpayers and helped pass a state budget with the lowest growth in spending in nearly half a century.