Last week, Oracle Corp., which had been a member of the ITAA, withdrew from the group partly because Miller left to run for the Senate. Oracle spokesman Robert Hoffman said last week that the company feels Allen is doing a good job on technology issues and shouldn't be challenged by Miller.

Allen, a former governor of Virginia, was a vocal co-sponsor in 2005 of an antispyware bill, as well as a bill to extend a moratorium on taxes unique to the Internet. Many political observers have pointed to Allen as a potential candidate for U.S. president in 2008.

The ITAA, which was formed in 1961 and has about 350 corporate members, deals with global public policy issues, offers business networking and is an advocate for the continued growth of the IT industry. It has been staunch backer of efforts to increase the number of controversial H-1B visas available to IT workers as well as a proponent of an expanded federal research and development tax credit for U.S. companies.