National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)/Texas, the state’s leading small business association, announced today the list of candidates in 51 legislative races who are being endorsed by small business owning members in Texas. Additionally, three candidates in Texas Supreme Court races are also being endorsed by small business owning members.

“Small business owners recognize the need for strong jurists and lawmakers who understand the value of independent business on the economy and the impact that public policy changes have on day-to-day commerce,” said NFIB Executive Director Will Newton. “Texas has an enviable industrial standing in the nation and we can attribute that to those elected officials who have supported the rights of independent business owners to operate and grow.”

NFIB/Texas determines endorsements through a legislative voting record. In cases where candidates do not have an established voting record, a questionnaire is provided to determine priorities and gauge each candidate’s level of support for the small business community. Five endorsements were made in the Texas Senate and 46 in the Texas House of Representatives.

These candidates for the Texas Supreme Court warranted endorsements because of having a proven track record in the small business community. Three endorsements were made for the Texas Supreme Court: Debra Lehrmann, Paul Green, and Eva Guzman.

These endorsements today comes from the NFIB/Texas SAFE (Save America’s Free Enterprise) Trust, the organization’s political action committee, which is comprised exclusively of NFIB members. Small business owners vote in high percentages and they are influential in their communities.