Gubernatorial candidates to court BCA at Point Clear conference - al.com

Gubernatorial candidates to court BCA at Point Clear conference - al.com: "The full field of Alabama gubernatorial candidates will gather for the first time Saturday in Point Clear, where the Business Council of Alabama is holding its annual governmental affairs conference.

The endorsement of the Montgomery-based BCA, which represents state businesses and industry, could be a difference-maker in the 2010 race to succeed Gov. Bob Riley, who also is scheduled to appear.

BCA is organized as a nonprofit, nonpartisan lobbying organization, but its membership tends to support conservative candidates and pro-business causes. The group has long been a powerful player in state politics, but experts said its influence has risen as a counter to the Democratic-leaning Alabama Trial Lawyers Association and state labor unions."