FranPAC Favorites: Eric Cantor

By BRIAN DIGGELMANN According to the International Franchise Association, FranPAC “creates an opportunity for IFA members to provide financial support to candidates for federal office, and a robust PAC means more contributions to candidates who understand franchising and who will promote a legislative and regulatory climate favorable to franchising.” In the following days, we will highlight the politicians that have received the most donations from FranPAC. Eric Cantor - $10,000 from FranPAC Eric Cantor’s first taste of politics started with his dad. Raised in a Republican home in Richmond, VA., Cantor’s father was the state treasurer for Ronald Reagan’s first presidential campaign. In 1981 while still a freshman in college, Eric got involved in politics by interning and driving for House Republican Tom Bliley of Virginia. Cantor would go on to earn a Juris Doctorate and gain valuable experience working in his family’s small business before re-entering the world of politics. After serving in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1992 to 2001, Cantor was ready to take the next step and ran for Tom Bliley’s now-vacant seat representing Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, quickly earning the support of Bliley and his administration. The election was a landslide victory for Cantor as he took 67 percent of the vote and began his meteoric rise through the ranks of the Republican Party. While still a freshman congressman, Cantor chaired the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare and later served on the House Financial Services Committee, the House International Relations Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee. Cantor quickly caught the eye of senior Republican leaders, and in 2002 he was made Chief Deputy Republican Whip, a title he would hold until he was elected Republican Whip in 2008. When the 112th Congress took office in 2011, he became the House Majority Leader and the second ranking Republican after Speaker John Boehner. Key Votes As a staunch conservative, Cantor strongly believes in lower taxes, strengthening small business, encouraging entrepreneurship and cutting back on regulation. His goals align closely with those of the franchising industry and International Franchise Association. In fact, the IFA gives Cantor a 100% rating for voting with the IFA on industry-related legislation. The following is a selection of legislation on which Cantor has voted with the IFA: H.R. 10: Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2011 H.R. 3630: Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 H.R. 4: The Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act of 2011 H.R. 2: Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act H.R. 9: Small Business Tax Cut Act H.R. 2433: Veterans Opportunity to Work Act of 2011 H.R. 3094 Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act Contributions FranPAC contributes generously to Eric Cantor due to his close alignment with the IFA’s interests and solid voting record. He received $10,000 from FranPAC during the 2011-2012 election cycle, while the his own PAC, ERICPAC, received another $10,000.