Brad Williams

Since promotion to lead the Government Relations efforts at the Detroit Regional Chamber, I have increased fundraising for the Chambers political purposes from $68,000 the year prior to $429,000 in the fiscal year ending July of 2014.  Taking advantage of court rulings that allow for greater flexibility in the use of corporate dollars I serve as Treasurer of the Powering the Economy (Super) PAC.  PAC highlights under my leadership include:

• The only business organization to support Gov. Rick Snyder in the 2010 GOP Primary, the Chamber has been a consistent political supporter of Gov. Snyder.  Chamber staff has hosted fundraisers with members for the Governor in recognition of the fact that he has chosen not to accept PAC Contributions.
• The first and most important supporter of Mayor Mike Duggan after announcing his write-in campaign for Mayor in 2013.
• Broke with expectations endorsing Sen. Gary Peters as he ran for the open U.S. Senate seat in 2014 marking the only time in recent memory the Chamber PAC has supported a Democrat in an open statewide election.
• The Powering the Economy PAC planned and executed a independent expenditure on behalf of 6 candidates for the Michigan Legislature being challenged in primaries by less pragmatic candidates, successfully defending five candidates.
• In 2014, Chamber PAC endorsed candidates were elected nearly 97% of the time in the General Election.