June 21, 2006 4:09PM 

# Chamber Shows Villalobos the Door 

By [Andrew J. Coulson](https://www.cato.org/people/andrew-coulson) 

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For the first time in its 90 year history, the Florida Chamber of Commerce has pulled the plug on its backing for a political candidate. State Sen. Alex Villalobos, who received the Chamber’s endorsement in 2005, [was dropped today](http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/14864739.htm) because of his votes on several key issues. Paramount among them: his opposition to school choice.

The only surprise is that it took so long. Business leaders are beginning to understand that our state-run education monopolies are just as harmful—if not more so—than monpolies in any other field.

Let’s hope other chambers of commerce follow Florida’s lead.

##### Related Tags 

[Education](https://www.cato.org/education), [General](https://www.cato.org/general), [Center for Educational Freedom](https://www.cato.org/center-educational-freedom) 

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