In an unusual move, the US Chamber of Commerce is endorsing 23 vulnerable freshmen House Democratic incumbents for reelection, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to CNN, reflecting not only a rise in moderate Democrats in Congress but perhaps also a recognition that the House is unlikely to flip in 2020.
The Chamber, the world’s largest organization promoting business interests, is also endorsing 29 House Republican freshmen, the source also said.
A Chamber spokesman refused to comment on internal processes. The Hill first reported the endorsements.
The Democrats receiving the endorsements are running in some of the most competitive races in the country, including 14 in districts won by President Donald Trump in 2016. They are:
- Colin Allred of Texas
- Cindy Axne of Iowa
- Anthony Brindisi of New York
- TJ Cox of California
- Angie Craig of Minnesota
- Joe Cunningham of South Carolina
- Antonio Delgado of New York
- Sharice Davids of Kansas
- Abby Finkenauer of Iowa
- Lizzie Fletcher of Texas
- Josh Harder of California
- Kendra Horn of Oklahoma
- Andy Kim of New Jersey
- Susie Lee of Nevada
- Elaine Luria of Virginia
- Ben McAdams of Utah
- Dean Phillips of Minnesota
- Harley Rouda of California
- Xochitl Torres Small of New Mexico
- Greg Stanton of Arizona
- Haley Stevens of Michigan
- Abigail Spanberger of Virginia
- David Trone of Maryland
It is the largest number of House Democrats the Chamber has endorsed in at least over a decade. The Chamber only reportedly backed seven Democrats in federal races in 2018, when the party took the House.
The endorsed Democrats have voted in alignment with the Chamber on many issues, including the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Chamber officials have said the criteria deciding which incumbents to back are the Representatives’ overall voting record as well as their backing of bills key to the organization.
Still, the endorsements are sure to rankle some of the Chamber’s supporters since usually most of its endorsements go to Republicans. Last week, Politico reported that State Chamber of Oklahoma President Chad Warmington wrote a letter to the national Chamber leaders opposing the proposal to back Horn.
But other members supported the move.
Glenn Hamer, the president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, told CNN last week that there are a number of House Democrats who could help the parties come together next year on issues like a free trade agreement with the United Kingdom and comprehensive immigration reform. He also said those members serve as a check on left-wing Democrats such as Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
“I believe the US Chamber is doing the right thing to look to make sure that there’s a base of members in the House of Representatives that will give the organization and the job creators a fair day in court,” said Hamer.
The endorsements reflect not only the members’ records but also a recognition that Republicans are “extremely unlikely” to be able to take back the House this fall, he said.
“For the US Chamber, to have these relationships with more centrist Democrats is important,” said Hamer.
CNN’s Austen Bundy contributed to this report.