The newly-formed Los Angeles County Business Federation on Friday endorsed Los Angeles City Councilman and former Police Chief Bernard Parks for election to the County Board of Supervisors.

Parks and chief rival state Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas are in a closely contested race for the Second District seat being vacated by Yvonne Braithwaite Burke. Parks is seen as more of a business-friendly candidate; Ridley-Thomas as more of a labor candidate.

In making its first political endorsement since being formed earlier this year, the Business Federation cited Parks’ experience as head of the City Council’s budget committee and his pro-business track record on the Council.

“Bernard Parks has demonstrated that he is very capable of supporting and advocating for strong economic policies which incentivize Los Angeles businesses to stay here, expand here and to attract new companies to bring their jobs to our backyard,” said BizFed Chairman David Fleming.

The Business Federation represents more than 70 local chambers, trade associations and other business organizations representing more than 80,000 businesses throughout Los Angeles County.

The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor has endorsed Ridley-Thomas.