By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Monday, September 29, the Gary Palmer for Congress Campaign announced in a written statement that Gary has received the endorsement of the Chamber of Commerce of The United States of America.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Thomas J. Donohue said in a statement that he is proud to endorse Palmer’s Candidacy in the Sixth District of Alabama. “At no other time in our nation’s history has it been more critical that members of Congress provide leadership that protects and advances the interests of the business community. Gary Palmer’s election to the U.S. House of Representatives will help produce sustained economic growth, help create more jobs and get our country back on track.”
Gary Palmer said in a statement that he was pleased to learn of the endorsement from the Chamber of Commerce of The United States of America. Palmer said, “I am very grateful to have the endorsement of the U.S. Chamber. American businesses are the life blood of our economy, if elected I will work hard to support Alabama’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. They will lead the way for middle class wealth creation and job formation raising all boats by the rising tide of prosperity.”
The Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region. The Chamber’s stated goal is to help elect a pro-business majority in Congress and work diligently in support of the interests of businesses large and small to advance legislation that encourages economic growth, job creation and a less intrusive federal government.
For 24 years, Gary Palmer led the Alabama Policy Institute (API) as the group’s co-founder and President. API is a research and education organization that is dedicated to identifying, developing and promoting public policies which emphasize limited government, free markets, the rule of law and strong families.
Gary Palmer was appointed by Alabama Governor Robert Bentley to Alabama Commission on Improving State Government. He was appointed by former Governor Bob Riley to the Governor’s Task Force to Strengthen Alabama Families and served as an advisor to the Alabama Aerospace, Science and Industry Task Force. Palmer was appointed by Alabama Governor Fob James to the Governor’s Welfare Reform Commission. Palmer is a founding director and past president of the State Policy Network.
Gary Palmer grew up in the North Alabama town of Hackleburgh, the son of a small logger. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Management and has an honorary doctorate from the University of Mobile.
Palmer’s opponent is Dr. Mark Lester (D). He was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. He and his family have lived in Homewood for the past 23 years while teaching history at Birmingham Southern College. Lester attended Rhodes College, received a master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University, and earned a law degree from the University of Virginia. He has a Ph.D. in Modern British Economic History from the University of Oxford. After finishing law school, Mark Lester was appointed Assistant United States Attorney where he prosecuted drug dealers and white collar criminals. He later formed a small law firm, specializing in commercial litigation.
Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District is currently represented by Republican Representative Spencer Bachus from Vestavia who is retiring after 11 terms in the Congress. Congressman Bachus served the District as an Alabama State Senator before going to Congress after defeating Congressman Ben Erdreich (D) in 1992.
The General Election will be on Tuesday, November 4.
