They intend to pour money into primaries supporting establishment Republicans who will support their agenda of comprehensive “immigration reform,” a long-term highway bill, and renewal of the Import-Export Bank.
The Chamber has an impressive record, winning 14 out of 15 of the offices they have invested in. In 2014 they spent $70 million, mostly helping Republicans to take over the Senate.
Specific targets of the Chamber in 2016 have not yet been determined but lawmakers like Dave Brat–those who won’t vote for everything the leadership and the Chamber want–will be their focus. Targeting incumbents is something new for the Chamber. But some conservative lawmakers, like Dave Brat, are thwarting the Chamber’s goals and will face primary challenges.
Will Dave Brat be a target of the US Chamber? Will they invest big money in an establishment candidate in a primary against Brat? Seems likely.
More on the story here.
