A pro-business congressional candidate has ignored a key business survey. Democrat Julie Lassa refused to answer questions posed by seven local chambers of commerce in the 7th congressional district she hopes to represent. She claims the questionnaire (PDF) was organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “They were not my friends in this campaign,” said Lassa. “They’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in television ad campaigns against me in this race, so I wasn’t going to be able to get a fair shake from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.”
But Chippewa Falls area chamber president Mike Jordan said the U.S. Chamber had no influence in the questionnaire. “This was put together by the local chambers,” Jordan said. “We certainly would have liked to educate our members on both candidates’ positions and unfortunately we weren’t able to do that.”
Republican candidate Sean Duffy DID respond to the questionnaire and only his answers were sent out to chamber members. “The local chambers and the business people know me,” said Lassa. “They know where I stand on these issues and I think my work speaks for itself.”