By LARRY PHILLIPS

• Leader & Times

The Kansas Chamber PAC endorsed Jim Rice (R-Liberal) Monday for the open 125th House District seat.

Rice said he had been interviewed recently by Christie Kriegshauser from the Kansas Chamber’s Topeka office.

“I thought it went quite well and it appears they did as well,” Rice said.

In the endorsement, Chamber PAC Chairman Justin Hill said, “The Chamber PAC is committed to supporting hard-working candidates who will fight to make Kansas the best state in the nation to do business.”

In the chamber press release, it also noted, “The 2014 legislative session marked a number of key victories for the Kansas Chamber and the Kansas business community but progress can still be made to strengthen the pro-growth majority in the Kansas House.

“The Chamber PAC supports strong candidates who believe in free market principles, a competitive tax climate and limited government,” it continued.

“The uncompromising mission of the Chamber PAC is to support those who stand for free market principles, pro-growth tax policies and limited government. The legislators and candidates who have received Chamber PAC support share this mission,” the release added.

Rice’s opponent for the District 125th House seat is Shannon Francis (R-Liberal).

“I don’t think the endorsements are important,” Francis said. “I think we need to elect a representative that’s going to represent the people of Seward County, and endorsements from Topeka special interests can sometimes get in the way of that.

“I really want to be your representative, not the Chamber’s representative,” he added. “And I’m serious about that.”