WASHINGTON Restaurateurs heading to the polls today will find eight of their own among the hundreds of candidates who are running for the U.S. Congress. Most are being financially supported by the industry as a way of giving foodservice a louder voice on Capitol Hill.
The foodservice aspirants include Republicans and Democrats (five and three, respectively), chain vets and independent restaurateurs (also a 5-3 ratio), incumbents and challengers (a 3-5 ratio). Their concepts range from Roly Poly wrap shops to restaurants at dog racing tracks, with a skew toward quick-service brands. Two hail from the Subway chain.
All but one, a Florida concessionaire, are funded in part by contributions from the National Restaurant Association’s Political Action Committee.
The industry candidates running for seats in the House of Representatives, their parties, the areas they hope to represent and their foodservice affiliations are:
-Rep. Ken Calvert, Republican, California’s 44th District, Mill Creek BBQ and Good Fellow’s Cafe
-Rep. John Yarmuth, Democrat, Kentucky's 3rd District, Sonny’s BBQ
-Rep. Dan Boren, Democrat, Oklahoma's 2nd District, Roly Poly
-Jay Love, Republican, Alabama's 2nd District, Subway
-Tom Rooney, Republican, Florida's 16th District, independent restaurants at dog tracks
-John Fleming, Republican, Louisiana's 4th District, Subway, Dairy Queen
-Ed Tinsley, Republican, New Mexico's 2nd District, K-Bob’s Steakhouses
Running for the Senate is:
-Mark Warner, Democrat, Virginia, Majestic Cafe.
In addition to those eight who are still actively involved in the restaurant industry, ballots list nine candidates who formerly owned or operated restaurants, three whose families were in the business, and seven who previously marketed goods or services to the trade.