Awards bipartisan “Friend of Franchising” endorsements to congressional candidates in Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, West Virginia, Louisiana, Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, Oregon, and Pennsylvania for their support of local franchise businesses

WASHINGTON – The International Franchise Association (IFA) today endorsed bipartisan candidates ahead of their May primary elections, applauding their leadership on pro-business policies supporting America’s locally owned franchise small businesses. Named a “Friend of Franchising,” IFA endorsed 39 candidates in Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, West Virginia, Louisiana, Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.

“These candidates recognize the vital role franchise small businesses play on Main Streets across America,” said Michael Layman, IFA Chief Advocacy Officer. “It’s critical to have leaders who support pro-growth, pro-franchise policies that understand that franchises are local businesses and should be treated as such. The strength of the franchise community lies in its bipartisan support, and we are proud to endorse candidates who understand and champion that impact.”

Below is the full list of May 2026 endorsements:

Indiana: May 5th Primary

• Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN)
• Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN)
• Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-IN)

Ohio: May 5th Primary

• Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH)
• Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH)
• Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH)
• Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH)
• Rep. Mike Rulli (R-OH)

Nebraska: May 12th Primary

• Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE)
• Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE)

West Virginia: May 12th Primary

• Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
• Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV)
• Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV)

Louisiana: May 16th Primary

• Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA)
• Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA)
• Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA)
• Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
• Rep. Cleo Fields (D-LA)

Alabama: May 19th Primary

• Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL)
• Rep. Shomari Figures (D-AL)
• Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL)
• Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL)
• Rep. Dale Strong (R-AL)

Kentucky: May 19th Primary

• Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY)
• Rep. James Comer (R-KY)
• Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY)
• Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY)

Georgia: May 19th Primary

• Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA)
• Rep. Brian Jack (R-GA)
• Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA)

Oregon: May 19th Primary

• Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-OR)
• Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-OR)

Pennsylvania: May 19th Primary

• Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
• Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA)
• Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA)
• Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA)
• Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA)
• Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA)
• Rep. G.T. Thompson (R-PA)

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About The International Franchise Association:

Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the approximately 832,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.8 million direct jobs, $907.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.