McDonnell also Endorsed by: The Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Virginia Realtors, Virginia Credit Unions, The Vietnamese American National Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors and The Northern Virginia Technology Council

Washington D.C-The Greater Washington Board of Trade today endorsed Bob McDonnell in the 2009 race for governor. The official release announcing the endorsement notes: The Board of Trade is the largest business organization representing regional interests throughout the Greater Washington area. Top priorities for the Board of Trade center on the fiscal health of the state and local jurisdictions, transportation, emergency preparedness, sustainability and energy innovation, and the needs of the region’s workforce.  After extensive interviews with the gubernatorial candidates, the Board of Trade leadership threw its endorsement behind Bob McDonnell because of his demonstrated understanding of the major concerns facing businesses in this difficult economy and his willingness to include the business community in fashioning solutions to the most pressing issues facing the region.

“The Greater Washington Board of Trade endorses Bob McDonnell for governor because he is best able to work with the various legislative leaders to create a sound and productive business environment in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said John M. Kane, chairman of the Board of Trade and president and CEO of Office Movers, Inc.  “We believe Bob McDonnell will focus the attention needed to improve this region’s transportation crisis and enhance economic development efforts throughout the Commonwealth, which in turn helps strengthen the entire Greater Washington region.”

Speaking about the endorsement Bob McDonnell remarked, “This campaign is about jobs and the economy. We face the highest unemployment rate in years. Virginians everywhere are looking for innovative solutions to address the challenges we face.  That is the focus of our campaign. We have rolled out innovative ideas to get traffic moving again, improve our schools, create new jobs, get spending under control and keep taxes low. Today’s endorsement speaks to the broad and growing support behind our positive, forward-looking vision for the Commonwealth. As governor, I look forward to working with the Board to create new jobs and more opportunities for all Virginians, and to get our economy back on track.”

About the Greater Washington Board of Trade

The Greater Washington Board of Trade is the Greater Washington premier regional business network and the only local business association representing all industry sectors. Founded in 1889, the Board of Trade enjoys a long history of helping its members’ businesses grow by providing content-rich programs, connecting business leaders and marketing Greater Washington’s economic opportunities. As Greater Washington’s regional business organization, the Board of Trade addresses business concerns that stretch across geographic boundaries, including transportation, emergency preparedness, green as a competitive advantage and workforce issues. To learn more about the Greater Washington Board of Trade and its commitment to improving the region’s business community, visit www.boardoftrade.org.