--- title: "IFA Endorses Congressional Candidates in 14 States" url: https://burnaze.com/article/ddc3bec0-1300-41b0-834e-d5e9412f48f0 source: "Franchising.com" original_url: https://www.franchising.com/articles/20260805_ifa_endorses_congressional_candidates_in_14_states.html author: "International Franchise Association" category: "Associations" industry: "Franchise Industry" segment: "Associations" topics: ["Regulation & legal"] published: 2026-08-05T07:00:00.000Z modified: 2026-10-31T14:43:25.328Z image: https://imgs.franchising.com/art/articles/10659_plate.jpg --- # IFA Endorses Congressional Candidates in 14 States **TL;DR:** The International Franchise Association (IFA) endorsed bipartisan candidates in 14 states in conjunction with their July and August primary elections. *By International Franchise Association, originally published in Franchising.com on 2026-08-05. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/articles/20260805_ifa_endorses_congressional_candidates_in_14_states.html).* ## Story 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 21 Primary Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz Kansas: Aug. 4 Primary Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kan. Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kan. Rep. Derek Schmidt, R-Kan. Michigan: Aug. 4 Primary Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich. Missouri: Aug. 4 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: Aug. 4 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: Aug. 4 Primary Rep. Michael Baumgartner, R-Wash. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash. Rep. Marilyn Strickland, D-Wash. Tennessee: Aug. 6 Primary Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn. Rep. David Kustoff, R-Tenn. Hawaii: Aug. 8 Primary Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii Alabama: Aug. 11 Primary Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Ala. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala. Minnesota: Aug. 11 Primary Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn. Rep. Brad Finstad, R-Minn. Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn. Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn. Wisconsin: Aug. 11 Primary Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wis. Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis. Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis. Rep. Tony Wied, R-Wis. Alaska: Aug. 18 Primary Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, R-Alaska Florida: Aug. 18 Primary Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla. Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla. Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla. Rep. Carlos Giménez, R-Fla. Rep. Mike Haridopolos, R-Fla. Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Fla. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla. Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Fla. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla. Rep. María Elvira Salazar, R-Fla. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla. Wyoming: Aug. 18 Primary Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo. ## Entities - Franchising.com (publication) --- Originally reported by International Franchise Association, Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/articles/20260805_ifa_endorses_congressional_candidates_in_14_states.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/ddc3bec0-1300-41b0-834e-d5e9412f48f0).