Lansing Regional Chamber-PAC Announces Additional Endorsements in Key 2026 Federal and State Races
Lansing Regional Chamber-PAC Announces Additional Endorsements in Key 2026 Federal and State Races
LANSING, MI – TheLansing Regional Chamber Political Action Committee (LRC-PAC) today announced three additional endorsements in the 2026 election cycle:
- Congressman Tom Barrett — Michigan’s 7th Congressional District
- Mike Rogers — United States Senate
- State Senator Sarah Anthony — Michigan’s 21st Senate District
These endorsements build on LRC-PAC’s previously announced support for a bipartisan group of candidates in key state races:
- Doug Lloyd — Michigan Attorney General
- State Representative Angela Witwer — Michigan House of Representatives, 76th District
- Harold Pope — Michigan House of Representatives, 74th District
Together, these endorsements reflect LRC-PAC’s continued focus on supporting candidates who understand the needs of employers, recognize the importance of private-sector economic growth, and are committed to strengthening the Lansing region and Michigan’s overall competitiveness.
The endorsements follow an extensive process throughout the 2026 election cycle that has included the Lansing Regional Chamber’s Meet the Candidates Series, conversations with candidates, review of candidate records and policy positions, and consideration by the LRC-PAC Board of Directors.
“These endorsements reflect our commitment to supporting leaders who understand that Michigan needs to be focused on economic growth, competitiveness and creating an environment where businesses can invest, expand and create jobs,” said Steve Japinga, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Our 2026 endorsements demonstrate that this is not about political party. It is about who understands our region, who will engage with the business community and who is prepared to advance policies that will help the Lansing region and Michigan grow.”
Congressman Tom Barrett — Michigan’s 7th Congressional District
LRC-PAC endorsed Congressman Barrett based on his strong working relationship with the Lansing region, accessibility to the business community and record of delivering results for his district.
Barrett has helped secure significant federal investment for mid-Michigan, including infrastructure and community projects, while serving on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He has also worked on policies related to housing, permitting reform, veterans and infrastructure.
The 7th Congressional District race also presents voters with fundamentally different approaches to economic growth and the role government should play in addressing the region’s challenges.
Barrett’s approach emphasizes growing the private sector by removing unnecessary barriers, streamlining permitting and regulation, investing in infrastructure and creating an environment that encourages businesses to invest, expand and create jobs.
His opponent offers a significantly different approach that relies more heavily on government programs, increased taxation, additional regulation and greater government involvement in the economy.
For LRC-PAC, the distinction is important: growing government is not the same thing as growing our economy. Mid-Michigan needs more private investment, entrepreneurship, job creation and opportunities for businesses to grow.
LRC-PAC will continue encouraging Barrett to work on issues important to employers and families, including making health care more affordable and accessible and advancing trade and tariff policies that strengthen American competitiveness without unnecessarily increasing costs for Michigan businesses.
Mike Rogers — United States Senate
LRC-PAC endorsed Mike Rogers based on his longstanding connection to mid-Michigan, experience representing the region in Congress and commitment to policies that strengthen private-sector economic growth.
Rogers represented much of the Lansing region for more than a decade in Congress and understands the employers, institutions and communities that make mid-Michigan an important part of the state’s economy.
As with the 7th Congressional District, this Senate race offers voters a clear choice between two very different approaches to economic growth and the size of government.
Rogers’ approach emphasizes strengthening Michigan manufacturing, encouraging private investment and entrepreneurship, lowering costs, improving competitiveness and reducing unnecessary barriers that make it more difficult for employers to grow.
His opponent offers a substantially different approach to taxation, regulation, labor policy and government’s involvement in the economy.
For LRC-PAC, growth means creating the conditions for businesses to invest, entrepreneurs to take risks, employers to hire and communities to attract new opportunities.
State Senator Sarah Anthony — Michigan’s 21st Senate District
LRC-PAC endorsed State Senator Sarah Anthony based on her leadership in the Michigan Senate, strong relationship with the Lansing region and ability to deliver meaningful investments for mid-Michigan.
As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Anthony has played an important role in securing significant resources for Ingham and Eaton counties supporting housing, water infrastructure, public safety and community development.
Going forward, LRC-PAC will continue encouraging Anthony to champion policies that help small businesses grow, remove barriers to entrepreneurship and investment, and strengthen Michigan’s overall business climate.
A Bipartisan, Race-by-Race Approach
With these latest endorsements, LRC-PAC has endorsed candidates from both political parties across federal, statewide and state legislative races.
The LRC-PAC evaluates candidates on their record, relationship with the region, accessibility, approach to economic growth and competitiveness, and willingness to engage with the Lansing region’s business community.
“We aren’t going to agree with every candidate we endorse on every issue, nor should that be the standard,” Japinga said. “Our responsibility is to look at each race individually and ask which candidate is best positioned to help our region and its business community succeed. Sometimes that answer is a Republican. Sometimes it is a Democrat. What remains consistent is our focus on the Lansing region and economic growth.”
Additional 2026 Endorsement Considerations
LRC-PAC’s work in the 2026 election cycle is not complete.
The PAC continues to review additional races and candidates, including the 2026 Michigan gubernatorial race, and expects to make additional endorsement considerations in the weeks ahead.
Those decisions will follow the same process and standard applied throughout this election cycle: candidate engagement, review of records and policy positions, consideration of the needs of the Lansing region and evaluation by the LRC-PAC Board of Directors.
About the Lansing Regional Chamber Political Action Committee (LRC-PAC)
The Lansing Regional Chamber Political Action Committee (LRC-PAC) is the political action committee of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC), representing more than 1,000 businesses across the tri-county region. Operating as a separate entity from the LRCC, the LRC-PAC is dedicated to maintaining a pro-business, pro-growth outlook among elected officials in Greater Lansing. Its mission is to endorse candidates who support a strong economy, job creation, and vibrant communities throughout the region and the state of Michigan.
No Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce membership dues are used for political contributions or LRC-PAC political activity.
Learn more at www.lansingchamber.org.
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