Awards bipartisan “Friend of Franchising” endorsements to congressional candidates in California, New Jersey, Iowa, Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, Maryland, New York, Utah, and Colorado for their support of local franchise businesses

WASHINGTON – The International Franchise Association (IFA) today endorsed bipartisan candidates ahead of their June primary elections, applauding their leadership on pro-business policies supporting America’s locally owned franchise small businesses. Named a “Friend of Franchising,” IFA endorsed 38 candidates in California, New Jersey, Iowa, Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, Maryland, New York, Utah, and Colorado.

“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 June 2026 endorsements:

California: June 2nd Primary

• Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA)
• Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA)
• Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA)
• Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)
• Rep. Adam Gray (D-CA)
• Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA)
• Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA)
• Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)
• Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA)
• Rep. David Valadao (R-CA)

New Jersey: June 2nd Primary

• Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ)
• Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)
• Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)

Iowa: June 2nd Primary

• Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA)
• Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA)

Maine: June 9th Primary

• Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)

Nevada: June 9th Primary

• Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV)
• Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV)

North Dakota: June 9th Primary

• Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-ND)

South Carolina: June 9th Primary

• Rep. William Timmons (R-SC)
• Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Oklahoma: June 16th Primary

• Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK)
• Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK)
• Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK)

Virginia: June 16th Primary

• Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)
• Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA)
• Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA)

Maryland: June 23rd Primary

• Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-MD)

New York: June 23rd Primary

• Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY)
• Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)
• Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY)
• Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY)
• Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY)
• Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY)

Utah: June 23rd Primary

• Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT)

Colorado: June 30th Primary

• Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
• Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO)
• Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO)

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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.