Some Key Races Affect Tech Sector

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The fate of Congress was up for grabs last night, and with it, the future of numerous lawmakers who help govern the telecom sector.

Some key races watched by Politico included the standoff in Texas, pitting incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz (R), who accuses tech companies of anti-conservative bias, against Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D), a progressive challenger who has raised lots of cash from Silicon Valley. And in Tennessee, Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R), who has held several FCC oversight hearings, was battling Democrat Phil Bredesen for the state’s open Senate seat being vacated by Republican Bob Corker. Blackburn now chairs the House Commerce Committee. 

In Missouri, two Senate candidates who’ve affected the tech industry squared off. On one side: Sen. Claire McCaskill (D), a member of the Senate Energy and Commerce Committee and supporter of rural broadband deployment. And on the other: Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley (R), who has launched high-profile tech investigations of Google and Facebook.

Speaking personally, National Association of Tower Erector Executive Director Todd Schlekeway told Inside Towers, before the results were tallied that, “NATE’s issues are and will continue to be bi-partisan for the most part so we are well positioned to continue to work with U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives on both sides of the aisle who serve on the committees with jurisdiction over our policy issues.”

November 7, 2018