Ohio Manufacturers' Association Endorses Widener

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Ohio Manufacturers' Association Endorses Widener

Group representing more than 800,000 manufacturing workers and 1,700 manufacturing companies feels Widener best understands that a strong manufacturing sector means a strong Ohio.

SPRINGFIELD, OH (10/2/08) - The Ohio Manufacturers' Association (OMA) has announced its endorsement of Chris Widener, candidate for the Ohio State Senate.
"Manufacturing is the engine that drives Ohio's economy, and it is imperative that we elect policymakers who understand that reality," said OMA Board Chairman James McGregor, president of The McGregor Metalworking Companies. "The OMA Board believes that Chris Widener is the Senate District 10 candidate who best understands that a strong manufacturing sector means a strong Ohio, and we are pleased to endorse his candidacy for the Ohio Senate."
"Ohio manufacturers face serious challenges, ranging from fierce global competition, to significant increases in the costs of doing business, to a growing demand for highly skilled and technologically proficient workers," added OMA President Eric Burkland. "We need policymakers in Columbus who are willing to rise above partisan politics and work collaboratively with us to address these challenges and to solve the many complex policy issues that impact the competitiveness of Ohio Manufacturers."
"I am pleased to receive the support of the OMA." said Widener. "As State Representative I've worked to reduce the tax burden on Ohio families and businesses. I've voted to cut state income taxes 21 percent - the largest income tax cut in Ohio history that will save taxpayers $2 billion each year, and was part of the effort to overhaul our outdated tax code, eliminating onerous business taxes that were discouraging new companies to invest in Ohio and stifling job creation. As your next State Senator I will continue to fight for job creation in Ohio."


Widener continues to rack up broad based support and endorsements for his senate campaign including, The Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the Ohio Farm Bureau-"Friend of Agriculture," Ohio Nurses Association, Associated Builders and Contractors of Ohio, Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council, Buckeye Firearms Association, Ohio Society of CPA's, International Union of Operating Engineers, and the Ohio State Medical Association.

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.