California’s AB 5 has taken another life: The new law has now killed off the 40-year old Lake Tahoe Music Festival.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which usually backs Republicans, endorsed the south Texas congressman earlier this month. Libre Initiative Action, a group backed by the conservative megadonor Koch family, also gave him its stamp of approval.
“This is a classic Texas free enterprise versus New York City socialism race,” Reed said. “Justice Dems is a movement looking for something to do, and we just think they picked the wrong place to make this a referendum on their leftist agenda.”
Supporting Cuellar have been a pair of typically Republican groups: the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American for Prosperity Action, the campaign arm of the conservative network overseen by industrialist Charles Koch.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has increasingly backed Republicans in recent years, has spent on Cuellar’s behalf, while liberal groups like the Justice Democrats are working for Cisneros. Cisneros has support from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and presidential candidates including Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
The group, historically seen as Republican-leaning, has taken steps to improve its ties with Democrats. Scott Reed, the Chamber’s chief political strategist, told The Hill that the advocacy group is “putting our money where our mouth is,” by backing candidates who supported the group’s agenda regardless of party.
Cuellar has touted a long list of local endorsements, while Pelosi and other House leaders made clear months ago that he has their backing. The centrist Democrat has also gotten support from unusual places in a Democratic primary, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the political network created by the Koch brothers.
In Cuellar’s corner, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which rarely backs Democrats, launched a $200,000 campaign focused on his support for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement, Trump’s much-touted upgrade to the North American Free Trade Agreement.
The seven-term congressman is facing a vigorous challenge on his left from Jessica Cisneros in a March 3 primary. Cisneros, a 26-year-old immigration attorney, has endorsements from women’s groups like EMILY’s List, environmental groups like the Sierra Club and national liberal leaders like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. The U.S. Chamber joins the Koch-backed group Libre Initiative Action, which endorsed Cuellar on Friday.
Ashlee Rich Stephenson, the vice president and national political director for the organization, said they chose to back Tiffany based on his accomplishments in Wisconsin's Senate. "Tom is a proven leader with tremendous accomplishments standing up for the hardworking citizens of Wisconsin," she said. "Business and workers alike will benefit when Tom Tiffany is elected to the United States Congress.”
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