The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has put its weight behind Abel Maldonado, the Republican candidate who’s running against incumbent Lois Capps to represent California’s 24^th Congressional District.

The endorsement came Sept. 26 in San Luis Obispo at an event hosted by Meathead Movers, a U.S. Chamber member.

“Abel Maldonado recognizes that free enterprise, not more government, will lead the American recovery,” Carol Hallett, counselor to the U.S. Chamber, said in a news release. “His experience as lieutenant governor and creating jobs on his family farm demonstrates his commitment to policies that will advance growth and job creation in California’s 24th district, as well as across the country. On behalf of the U.S. Chamber’s 300,000 members nationwide, I’m proud to endorse Abel for Congress.”

Maldonado has made headlines over the past few years for tax controversies. His Santa Maria-based family farming business, Agro-Jal, has come under fire for allegedly underpaying its taxes and taking questionable deductions. Lois Capps, the Democrat Maldonado is running against, has held her seat in Congress since 2000. Capps has also been at the center of a tax controversy in recent months, with media outlets alleging that she failed to report rental income.

The U.S. Chamber said it is ramping up its candidate endorsements this election season as “part of the organization’s largest effort in its 100-year history to highligh candidates’ positions on issues critical to the American recovery.”