Minnesota Chamber Backs Republican Johnson

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota's Chamber of Commerce on Friday backed Republican Jeff Johnson over Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton as the business community weighs how big a role to play in the governor's race.

The decision came after both Johnson and Dayton went before a chamber political committee. Four years ago, Dayton didn't even try for their support.

It remains unclear how active the chamber and other prominent business groups will be in the governor's race. There are some signs that the business's top focus could be winning GOP control of the Minnesota House instead, given the challenge of toppling a statewide incumbent.

In announcing the endorsement, the chamber's interim president Bill Blazar said Johnson best represents the chamber's "pro-business, pro-jobs agenda." He said Dayton has enacted some of the highest tax rates in the country and increased labor regulations on employers that "seriously inhibits their ability to succeed and compete regionally and globally."

The chamber represents 2,300 businesses that employ hundreds of thousands of people.

"Jeff has strong support within the business community and it's getting stronger every day," said campaign spokesman Jeff Bakken. "In terms of who would be a better governor for jobs and job providers, it's not even close."

Dayton campaign manager Katharine Tinucci said the governor wasn't counting on the chamber's backing despite participating in the screening.

"We're going to continue to make the case that the progress that we've made the past four years has been good for workers, for working people, for families and for businesses," she said.

Business groups like the chamber had been on the sidelines as four Republicans competed for the party nomination. Johnson, a Hennepin County commissioner, won the Aug. 12 primary and has been counting on the backing of business leaders to aid in fundraising against a better-financed opponent.

Other than mentions in chamber materials and its web site, Blazar wouldn't say what type of political activity would come with the endorsement.

The union-financed Alliance for a Better Minnesota has had the television airwaves to itself for a month already in ads branding Johnson a "tea party Republican" with a checkered record on education. Next week, the conservative Freedom Club State PAC goes live with a six-figure ad campaign aimed at Dayton.

In 2010, the Minnesota Business Partnership and Chamber of Commerce helped steer a political group they called MN Forward, seeded by contributions from major Minnesota corporations. The group spent a combined $1.3 million on television advertisements, more than half of it by the end of September.

Chris Georgacas, a strategist who once ran the Minnesota Republican Party, said business leaders could have started driving at the incumbent sooner to leave the eventual GOP nominee in a better spot.

"If the business community wanted to make a serious effort to replace Mark Dayton they should have coalesced very early on and they should have helped make the case against his policies and then created the political infrastructure to make a political impact," Georgacas said.

Other Republicans grumble privately that the state's business groups are too risk-averse, perhaps fearful of antagonizing Dayton if he's back for another term.

Tommy Merickel, a vice president at Taylor Corp., said GOP hopes in the Legislature depend partly on Johnson's performance.

"You can't have the top of the ticket not be competitive," said Merickel, who is helping raise money for Johnson after having a similar role with a different candidate in the primary.

Mike Erlandson, a former Democratic Party chairman, said he's anxious to see if the chamber puts much behind the endorsement.

"There is a risk of going against somebody who is an incumbent who is likely to be re-elected," Erlandson said. "Let's also remind ourselves that (Dayton) has been good for business. Business is very pragmatic as well. They are driven by data and results."

At the Business Partnership, executive director Charlie Weaver said it's undetermined how much his group will play in the race.

"Clearly the House is a priority but you may see the business community in the governor's race as well. We have to be smart about how we allocate," Weaver said, but added, "The messaging that will help House candidates probably helps Jeff Johnson and vice versa."

Even if the political entities tied to prominent business groups haven't invested heavily yet, some business figures are making their presence known in checks to the candidates.

Dayton's list of donors includes Marilyn Carlson Nelson of hospitality giant Carlson Holdings as well as Jim and Bob Pohlad of the Minnesota Twins ownership family.

Since winning his party's primary, Johnson has had several fundraisers with business community luminaries. And his roster of finance committee members — those who help recruit other donors — has attracted several plugged-in members who were previously assisting candidates whom Johnson beat.

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