During an event at Hotel Maya on Friday, representatives from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce officially endorsed Long Beach City Councilmember Gary DeLong for the CA-47th Congressional seat. This endorsement adds to a long list of business-sector endorsements that the candidate has already received including the Long Beach and Lakewood Chambers of Commerce.
“There could not be a better candidate from a businessperson’s point of view to send to D.C. from Long Beach than Gary DeLong,” said Dick Castner, Executive Director of the Western Regional Office of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Gary is a businessman who signs the front of the check rather than the back of the check. He knows what it takes to help businesses thrive in California, and he has a distinguished record of fighting for the best interests of the business community.”
Before DeLong addressed the crowd, Castner added this sharp stab at his opponent: “California drove itself into the ground with Alan Lowenthal leading the charge- making votes and authoring bills that are bad for business. We can’t let his economic malpractice be continued in Washington, DC.”
DeLong was very appreciative of the U.S. Chamber endorsement as they rarely endorse candidates in this region of California.
“I am humbled by the gracious support the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the local Chambers and small business owners all across the district have shown for my candidacy. They recognize the importance of electing someone who has the experience of competing in the private sector and the knowledge of how to grow our economy.”
Though most poll numbers that emerged over the summer show Lowenthal anywhere from three percent to 20 percent in the lead over DeLong, this endorsement has secured DeLong’s position as the proverbial front-runner in the eyes of the business community.