The U.S. Chamber of Commerce praised Rep. Walt Minnick as a champion of Idaho’s businesses and workers in an endorsement for the freshman Democrat.

“In just one term, Walt has already shown a strong record of standing up for the businesses and workers of Idaho during some of the state’s most challenging economic times,” chamber Senior Vice President Bill Miller said Tuesday.

The endorsement by the chamber, which is generally viewed as more friendly toward Republicans, will help boost Minnick’s claim of being one of the most conservative Democrats in the House.

And that won’t make the job of the Republican nominee, state Rep. Raul Labrador, any easier.

Labrador has campaigned as a pro-business fiscal conservative and accused Minnick of not doing enough to get his party to cut spending on Capitol Hill.

National Republicans have worked to link Minnick to his party leaders, such as President Barack Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), who aren’t very popular in the conservative 1st district.