Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti chamber endorses Republicans Rick Snyder and Mark Ouimet in state races

Rick Snyder

"Snyder’s ties to the greater Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area business community are vast," the chamber's statement reads. "In addition to earning three degrees from the University of Michigan, Snyder raised an unprecedented $200 million in venture capital to invest in area startups, taking ideas and translating them into exciting new companies.

The chamber cited Snyder's role in writing the business plan for Ann Arbor SPARK, an economic development group that Snyder chaired for four years. It also highlighted the fact that Snyder provided early investment and startup assistance to a number of area businesses, including Esperion Therapeutics, which was later purchased by Pfizer.

Karl Couyoumjian, the chamber's board chairman and president of TeL Systems/Thalner Electronic Labs, said the board believed strongly that Snyder’s business background, as well as his track record of helping start and grow companies, made him an obvious choice.

"Rick’s track record as an intelligent, business-savvy leader speaks for itself and is clearly what our state needs in Lansing now more than ever," Couyoumjian said in a statement.

Snyder's campaign was dealt a blow on Wednesday with the announcement that HandyLab, another company that Snyder has been trumpeting as an example of his success as a job creator, is closing.

Mark Ouimet

In endorsing Ouimet, currently is a county commissioner, the chamber cited his involvement with the Washtenaw County Council of Chambers, Ele’s Place, Mott Children’s Hospital, Ann Arbor SPARK, the Red Cross, United Way, Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Washtenaw Economic Development Council.

“Mark has demonstrated true commitment to the people of Washtenaw County for over three decades of civic and public service," John Petz, the chamber's vice chairman and director of government relations for Domino’s Farms, said in a statement.

"Mark understands the issues and is pragmatic in achieving solutions. For the business community and the voters of Washtenaw County, there is no clearer choice to help fix Michigan and get our state government moving on the right track than Mark Ouimet."

Ouimet faces off against Democratic opponent Christine Green, a lawyer in the Ann Arbor area, in the Nov. 2 general election. Snyder faces Democrat Virg Bernero.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.