Contact: Jeff Leieritz (202) 905-2104              [email protected]

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 7 – Presidential candidate Carly Fiorina addressed and responded to questions from members of a coalition of major nationwide business groups in a TeleForum today. Fiorina answered questions from members of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Associated General Contractors, Business-Industry Political Action Committee, National Association of Manufacturers, National Federation of Independent Business and National Retail Federation.

“Associated Builders and Contractors members rely on a healthy overall economy as increased economic growth leads to more job sites and more high-paying construction jobs,” said ABC President and CEO Michael Bellaman. “Unfortunately, the construction industry faces many obstacles to growth including a growing shortage of appropriately skilled workers, an onerous and outdated regulatory system, the rising cost of obtaining quality health care coverage for employees and the highest effective tax rate of any industry.

“ABC was founded on a commitment to open competition and free enterprise and we appreciate the opportunity for our members to discuss these and other issues that affect their business with Ms. Fiorina,” said Bellaman. “This is a strong field of presidential candidates and our members will support the candidate who will provide the best leadership in creating an environment that will foster economic growth.”

The 2016 election cycle marks the third consecutive presidential campaign cycle that candidates have addressed and responded to questions from ABC members.

Fiorina is the fifth presidential candidate to accept the coalition of business groups’ invitation to address and answer questions from its members, following TeleForums with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Gov. John Kasich. The other candidates invited to speak with the groups are (in alphabetical order):

Dr. Ben Carson
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)
Businessman Donald Trump

The candidates qualified for the initial invitation by maintaining at least four percent in the Real Clear Politics average of polls during the period starting from the first GOP debate and ending on Labor Day. Should additional candidates average at least four percent for a 30-day time period prior to the start of voting, an invitation to participate will be sent to them.