CU-Backed Candidates Win Their Primaries

WASHINGTON–All of the candidates who had the backing of credit unions won their primary races yesterday. 

Although primaries were held in Idaho, Nebraska, Oregon and Pennsylvania, CUNA’s Credit Union Legislative Action Committee (CULAC) and the respective state CU associations provided donations and other assistance in races in just two of those states. 

• In Idaho’s first district, where the seat has been vacated by Rep. Raul Labrador (R), who is running for governor, the CU-backed candidate has won an eight-way race in the Republican primary. Russ Fulcher won the race with 43% of the vote.
• In Pennsylvania, where  all of the district lines have been thrown out by a court due to gerrymandering and all new district lines have been drawn, CULAC, along with the Pennsylvania CU Association provided support to three candidates, all Republicans, including  Dan Mueser in the 9^th district, Lloyd Smucker in the 11^thdistrict, and Guy Reschenthaler in the brand-new 14^th district. All three won their primaries.

The Pennsylvania races also attracted national attention as a half-dozen women, all Democrats, won their primaries and now head into the general elections in November. Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation is currently all male.