WASHINGTON—Credit union champions on both sides of the political aisle are receiving millions of dollars in support from America’s Credit Unions and its newly established PAC, including $3.6 million in independent expenditures and member communications ahead of the Nov. 5 general election, ACU said.
“Voters in states like Arizona, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, and Pennsylvania are receiving messages for candidates who have recognized the credit union difference with constituents and colleagues while supporting key concerns including protecting interchange, combating the rise in fraud, and preserving credit unions’ federal income tax exemption,” ACU said.
“America’s Credit Unions is bipartisan in our political support. We are focused on helping candidates who understand and support credit unions, and work with us to help our members and their communities succeed,” said America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Jim Nussle. “As an advocacy organization, the best way to achieve our mission is for America’s Credit Unions to actively support candidates in a way that fosters a safe and affordable financial services option for all Americans through their local credit union.”
Partnering With Leagues
America’s Credit Unions said it worked with league partners to help target this messaging to credit union members.
“The impact of individual contributions from credit union advocates across the country has helped America’s Credit Unions PAC become the fourth-largest PAC in candidate contributions in the country, with a nearly 50/50 split of contributions to Democrats and Republicans. The average individual contribution is $82 per year, demonstrating credit unions’ grassroots commitment to the industry’s future success through political advocacy,” ACU said.
ACU said candidates supported with the independent expenditures and member communications include:
- Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT): A $1 million independent expenditure in direct mail, digital ads, text messages
- Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA): An independent expenditure in direct mail, digital ads, and text messages
- Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA): Member communications in direct mail and digital ads
- Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ): Member communications in direct mail and digital ads
- Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR): Member communications in direct mail and digital ads
- Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN): Member communications in direct mail and digital ads
In addition to these contributions, America’s Credit Unions said its PAC contributed more than $3.5 million to pro-credit union candidates, with a 99% win rate in the primary elections