Chamber of Commerce endorses Bashaw for Senate – New Jersey Globe

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is taking sides in New Jersey’s U.S. Senate race, endorsing Republican Curtis Bashaw against Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown).

“Curtis has been a relentless job creator, employing over 1,000 people through his successful businesses across New Jersey,” Steve McAllister, the vice president for the Chamber’s eastern region, said in a statement. “The Chamber is proud to stand with Curtis and support his candidacy for United States Senate, and we look forward to working closely together in the 119th Congress on behalf of initiatives that will create economic opportunity for all.”

Bashaw is considered the underdog against Kim in a state that hasn’t elected a Republican to the Senate in more than 50 years, but that hasn’t stopped him from getting a number of notable endorsements – including from groups like the Chamber of Commerce that once supported Kim. (Kim received the Chamber’s endorsement in his 2020 race for re-election.)

This year, the Chamber is also backing two incumbent House members in New Jersey, from different parties: Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield), who got the group’s support earlier this month, and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff), whom the group endorsed last week.

“Josh understands the importance of Free Enterprise and its role in responding to the needs of people and local communities,” Steve Kim, the executive vice president of strategic initiatives, said of Gottheimer. “As a leader of the Problem Solvers Caucus, he is dedicated to bipartisanship and has worked tirelessly to remove bureaucratic barriers, strengthen our workforce, and foster innovation.”