John Brunner. (Photo/Brunner campaign)
— Republican U.S. Senate hopeful John Brunner has made his chief contention to primary voters that he is uniquely qualified for the U.S. Senate because of his lack of political experience and his extensive career in the private sector.
“I built a successful manufacturing business from 80 to over a thousand American jobs, helping those families share the American Dream,” Brunner said in his latest ad, pointing to his decades at the helm of Vi-Jon, a St. Louis pharmaceutical products firm.
Entitled “Stop Them,” the commercial is in direct response to a barrage of ads critical of his business record, which have been aired by everyone from his primary rival Sarah Steelman, Steelman’s super PAC, and even the Democrat he hopes to challenge in November, U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill.
Many of the ads have been critical of the company’s use of debt and its credit rating downgrade. Just this April, the credit ratings agency Moody’s downgraded Vi-Jon’s credit rating from B2 to B1. Moody’s cited Vi-Jon’s weak cash flow and lower profitability for the company.
Brunner was no longer CEO of the firm when it received its downgrade, but the report also points to a 2006 merger deal, which Brunner was a part of, that left the company in debt. He stepped down as CEO in 2009, and has served in a paid role on the company’s board since, during which time — the Brunner campaign points to the weak economy — the company has also laid off workers.
While Brunner is quick to tout the successes of the business — significant job growth and bringing it back from the brink of financial disaster (Brunner admits he “nearly killed the family business“) — the campaign is quick to distance itself from the recent financial woes.
“John Brunner has continued to serve as a compensated member of Vi-Jon’s board since he stepped down as CEO in 2009 and stopped running the day-to-day operations of the company,” Brunner spokesman Todd Abrajano said last week when asked about Brunner’s continued salary for his participation on the company’s board.
Brunner himself, during an interview while on a campaign swing through western Missouri last weekend, said the high profile criticism of the company by his opponents over of the company’s 2011 layoffs and use of international producers in Israel and China are “attacking jobs” and could hurt the private company’s reputation in the private label business.
“Whenever you have lies, false statements, innuendoes and false attacks without any substance, does it effect the business, individual, community? I’m sure,” Brunner said. “Lies and false statements would effect people negatively.”
Brunner then highlighted a positive at Vi-Jon.
“We,” Brunner said, “are also looking to add new jobs. Right now, there is a ‘help wanted’ sign in the window. We want to continue bringing new jobs to Missouri. The company is hiring right now.”
Despite begin the target of outside spending from Steelman’s PAC as well as outside Democratic groups, Brunner would not endorse legislation to require super PACs who use non-profit corporations to skirt disclosure rules to disclose their donors.
“I think the issue should be, can the attacks be validated and substantiated. I’ve worked very diligently to make sure the voting records of my opponents are clear,” Brunner said. “What is totally unfair, destructive, and job killing is the people — in order to protect their political careers and personal agendas — throw out false attacks with no substantiation at all to tear down.”
In the ad wars, Brunner has been a critic himself, criticizing his opponents’ previous records while serving in public office, much of which he has paid for on his own. Brunner, who has contributed more than $7 million to his own campaign, said he “hasn’t considered” how much he would put in his own campaign if he makes it past the Aug. 7 primary.
On Thursday, Brunner did a media tour featuring first public events with officials from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, months after the business group endorsed him, and weeks after they launched an ad critical of Steelman.
Rob Engstrom, senior vice president for political affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Tracy King, vice president of governmental relations at the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, joined Brunner for the media tour.
“As a successful manufacturer,” Engstrom said, “Brunner has spent his career cutting spending, balancing budgets, and growing his business by more than one thousand good-paying jobs – exactly the type of leadership and experience Washington needs right now.”
The Brunner campaign, which has spent much of its time in the last few months building up support from the agricultural community, has not given the same focus to his support from the Chamber.
On the campaign trail, Brunner touts his experience in business while leading Vi-Jon in St. Louis, as well has the pillars of his economic plan, which include reducing regulation and increasing domestic energy production.
“I’m proud to have earned the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s endorsement,” Brunner reiterated on Thursday, “and know that my private sector experience, plan, and pro-growth ideas will restore our economic strength and get America working again.”
Brunner is challenging Steelman and U.S. Rep. Todd Akin for the Republican nomination to challenge McCaskill later this year.