Brunner gets Chamber nod in Missouri

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has endorsed businessman John Brunner, one of three Republicans competing to take on Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.).

Unlike his two GOP opponents — Rep. Todd Akin (Mo.) and former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman — Brunner has never held elected office. He has made his family's business, health and cosmetic product manufacturer Vi-Jon — the centerpiece of his campaign. Polls show him running in third place.

"At no other time in our nation’s history has it been more critical that members of Congress provide leadership that protects and advances the interests of the business community," Tom Donohue, the Chamber's president and CEO, said in announcing the endorsement. "We believe that your election to the U.S. Senate will help produce sustained economic growth, help create more jobs and get our country back on track."

Last week, the Chamber waded into another contested GOP primary in neighboring Nebraska, where it backed state Attorney General Jon Bruning over state Treasurer Don Stenberg. The group says that 85 percent of the candidates it supported in 2010 ended up winning.

The Chamber also compiled kind words about Brunner from four local Missouri business owners whom it said were supporting Brunner's candidacy.

Keith Witt, a farm owner in Warrenton, Mo., said Brunner understood that like other industries, farming needs the government — and McCaskill — to get out of its way. 

"Having John Brunner as Missouri's next U.S. senator would be a welcome change for the farmers who work hard to keep agriculture the No. 1 industry in our state," Witt said in a statement.

The Hill rates this race a toss-up.

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