Chamber of Commerce endorses Democrat who voted 'no' on healthcare reform

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Friday endorsed Rep. Bobby Bright (D-Ala.) for reelection in November, praising him for standing “against a health care measure that will fail to control costs.”

“On issues ranging from competition in the health care industry, to lowering taxes, to reducing energy costs, Alabama’s businesses and workers have a tireless advocate in Bobby Bright,” Chamber senior vice president and political director Bill Miller said in a statement.

The first-term congressman was one of 34 Democrats who voted against the Senate healthcare reform bill in March. Bright also voted along with 38 other Democrats against the more liberal House reform bill in November.

The Chamber says it “plans to play a major role nationwide in the 2010 elections” and points out that 213 of the 265 Chamber-endorsed candidates — 81 percent — won their races in 2008.