Democrat Terry McAuliffe has won the endorsement of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce's political arm.
The endorsement announced Thursday marks the first time in more than a decade the Chamber's political action committee has backed a Democrat.
It comes a week after Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli picked up the coveted Northern Virginia Technology Council endorsement in their close race for governor.
The Chamber announced its endorsement a day after the candidates sparred in a prime-time televised debate sponsored by the group.
“Terry McAuliffe aligned with the Chamber’s legislative agenda with his positions and statements on transportation, economic development & his position on mandatory PLAs (project labor agreements) and the chipping away at right to work laws” Fairfax County Chamber President Jim Cocoran said.
Chamber leadership said Cuccinelli’s opposition to Gov. McDonnell's transportation funding plan hurt him with the group.
The Chamber also endorsed Democrats Ralph Northam and Mark Herring for lieutenant governor and attorney general, respectively.
