Brunner Touts Chamber Support, Business Credentials in Ozarks Stop

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- With just a few days before the primary election, Republican U.S. Senate hopeful John Brunner visited Springfield, Kansas City, and St. Louis to tout his business record and his economic policy proposals.

In the Ozarks, Brunner said that if he gets elected, he'll focus on energy independence, tax reform, and cutting red tape regulations.

"We have to have the most competitive tax rate in the world. Right now, we're the highest. Folks, people don't invest where you have the highest costs. We want to attract investment. We want to have people have confidence in America again."

Thursday marked Brunner's first public events with officials from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, months after the business group endorsed him, and weeks after they launched an ad critical of one of Brunner's primary rivals, Sarah Steelman.

Rob Engstrom, senior vice president for political affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Tracy King, vice president of governmental relations at the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, joined Brunner for the media tour.

"As a successful manufacturer," Engstrom said, "Brunner has spent his career cutting spending, balancing budgets, and growing his business by more than one thousand good-paying jobs - exactly the type of leadership and experience Washington needs right now."

The Brunner campaign, which has spent much of its time in the last few months building up support from the agricultural community, has not given the same focus to his support from the Chamber.

On the campaign trail, Brunner touts his experience in business while leading Vi-Jon in St. Louis, as well has the pillars of his economic plan, which include reducing regulation and increasing domestic energy production.

"I'm proud to have earned the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's endorsement," Brunner reiterated on Thursday, "and know that my private sector experience, plan, and pro-growth ideas will restore our economic strength and get America working again."

Brunner is challenging Steelman and U.S. Rep. Todd Akin for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill later this year.