Right-Wing US Chamber Of Commerce Endorses Opponent Of Homocon DeMaio

The US Chamber of Commerce, long infamous for being in the pocket of the right, has endorsed the Democratic opponent of homocon US House candidate Carl DeMaio.

The trade group overwhelmingly endorses Republican candidates. But this time it sided with Rep. Scott Peters, a freshman representing a San Diego-based district. Of the more than 260 candidates the chamber has endorsed this election cycle, Peters is only the fourth Democrat. On Wednesday, Peters' campaign released an endorsement letter from Thomas Donahue, the group's president and chief executive. "We believe that your re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives will help produce sustained economic growth, help create jobs, and get our country back on track," Donahue wrote. The endorsement is a coup for Peters, who faces a strong challenge from Republican Carl DeMaio, a former member of the San Diego City Council who also started and sold two businesses.

A spokesman for DeMaio reacted: "We're not surprised that a special interest group in DC is trying to protect Members of Congress. They like the system the way it is. They know Carl DeMaio is coming to end the perks for this crowd."