Awards bipartisan “Friend of Franchising” endorsements to congressional candidates in Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia, Washington, Tennessee, Hawaii, Alabama, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Alaska, Florida, and Wyoming for their support of local franchise businesses

WASHINGTON – Today, the International Franchise Association (IFA) endorsed bipartisan candidates in 14 states in conjunction with their July and August primary elections. Named a “Friend of Franchising,” the endorsement recognizes their leadership on pro-business policies supporting America’s locally owned franchise small businesses. IFA endorsed 56 candidates in Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia, Washington, Tennessee, Hawaii, Alabama, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Alaska, Florida, and Wyoming.

“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 July and August 2026 endorsements:

Arizona: July 21st Primary

• Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ)
• Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ)

Kansas: August 4th Primary

• Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS)
• Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS)
• Rep. Derek Schmidt (R-KS)

Michigan: August 4th Primary

• Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI)
• Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI)
• Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI)
• Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI)
• Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI)
• Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI)
• Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI)

Missouri: August 4th Primary

• Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO)
• Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO)
• Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO)
• Rep. Bob Onder (R-MO)
• Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO)

Virginia: August 4th Primary

• Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)
• Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA)
• Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA)
• Rep. John McGuire (R-VA)
• Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA)

Washington: August 4th Primary

• Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA)
• Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA)
• Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA)

Tennessee: August 6th Primary

• Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN)
• Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN)
• Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN)
• Rep. David Kustoff (R-TN)

Hawaii: August 8th Primary

• Rep. Ed Case (D-HI)

Alabama: August 11th Primary

• Rep. Shomari Figures (D-AL)
• Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL)

Minnesota: August 11th Primary

• Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN)
• Rep. Brad Finstad (R-MN)
• Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-MN)
• Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN)

Wisconsin: August 11th Primary

• Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI)
• Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI)
• Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI)
• Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI)
• Rep. Tony Wied (R-WI)

Alaska: August 18th Primary

• Sen. Dan S. Sullivan (R-AK)

Florida: August 18th Primary

• Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL)
• Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL)
• Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)
• Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)
• Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL)
• Rep. Carlos Giménez (R-FL)
• Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-FL)
• Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL)
• Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL)
• Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-FL)
• Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL)
• Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL)
• Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL)

Wyoming: August 18th Primary

• Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY)

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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.