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Capitol View®
Tom Scheck

Business group backs Johnson

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NFIB backs Johnson
Republican Jeff Johnson speaks at a St. Paul, MN press conference. Tom Scheck/MPR Photo

The Minnesota Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses announced today it's backing Republican Jeff Johnson’s campaign for governor.  Johnson understands the needs of small business owners better than Gov. Mark Dayton, the group’s executive director Mike Hickey said at a news conference to announce the endorsement.

“You can’t cherish the job and so often work against the job creator,” Hickey said. “That’s what Governor Dayton has done really during his first four years. He talks up jobs and how everyone wants jobs and everybody wants a good economy but you can cherish the job but then work against the people who so often create them.”

Johnson says he's happy to receive the backing of the NFIB.

Despite recent statistics that show Minnesota doing well economically, Johnson also said he thinks the state should be performing better.

"We can have an even lower unemployment rate,” Johnson said. “But if half of the people in this state can't find a job that matches their qualifications or are underpaid because the good careers aren't out there because we're creating low wage or part-time jobs, that's pretty relevant."

The NFIB is the second business group to back Johnson’s campaign. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce announced last month that it’s backing Johnson.

The NFIB endorsement comes as Minnesota’s unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level since September, 2006. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says Minnesota’s September job numbers show the unemployment rate at 4.1 percent.

DFLer Dayton praised the report, saying Minnesota has more people working than when he took office.

"Since January 2011, Minnesota has added over 172,000 new jobs,” Dayton said in a prepared statement. “But we cannot be satisfied yet. There is still more work to do to grow our economy, and create more good jobs for Minnesotans.”

Dayton and Johnson will have another chance to debate the state’s economic standing on Sunday morning. The two are scheduled to attend a Hamline University/KMSP-TV debate on the campus of Hamline University in St. Paul.