Businessman Chris Hackett (R) has received the endorsement of the Eastern Pennsylvania chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors in his Republican primary.

The national ABC represents 24,000 builders in 78 chapters across the country. According to a news release, the group has endorsed successful Pennsylvania Republican House candidates Pat Toomey, Jim Gerlach and Charlie Dent in the past.

Hackett owns OneSource Staffing Solutions, a business consulting firm, and is the vice chairman of the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce. He will face fellow businessman Dan Meuser in the Republican primary, along with conservative activist Don Ely.

The Republican primary winner will take on Rep. Christopher Carney (D), a freshman Member who won his district with 53 percent of the vote in 2006 against scandal-ridden then-Rep. Don Sherwood (R).

The district is viewed as the best pickup opportunity for Republicans in the state of Pennsylvania. It voted 60 percent for President Bush in 2006.

— Shira Toeplitz