WASHINGTON–The Credit Union Legislative Action Council (CULAC) and its state-level associations have invested $272,000 to back 41 different candidates in this week’s primaries. Those include seven open seat races.
Primaries are scheduled for New York and Florida, while there is a special primary election in Oklahoma to replace Sen. Jim Inhofe, the 87-year-old Republican who is retiring before his term expires.
In Oklahoma, CULAC and the Cornerstone league are backing Rep. Markwayne Mullin in the special runoff, after neither Mullin or opponent T.W. Shannon won at least 50% of the vote in the primary. The winner will face former U.S. representative Kendra Horn.
In New York, credit unions are backing Republican Mark Molinaro, who is running to fill the seat vacated when Democrat Antonio Delgado resigned to become lieutenant governor in New York. Molinaro is not just running to fill out the remainder of Delgado’s term, he is also running for a congressional seat for a new district created by redistricting (19th).
Meanwhile, in New York’s fourth district, Trey Hawkins, deputy chief advocacy officer with CUNA, said CULAC has gotten behind Democrat Laura Gillen in an open seat race; in New York 17, credit unions are backing Sean Maloney of the Working Families Party; and in New York 18, GOP State Assemblyman Colin Schmitt has the support of credit unions.
Florida Races
In Florida, in a newly drawn and solidly Republican district, CULAC and the League of Southeastern Credit Unions are supporting Aaron Bean, who Hawkins noted has a personal history in financial services.
In the more competitive 10th district (Orlando area), CULAC is backing Randolph Bracy III, who is running against two former members of Congress, while in the 15th district (Tampa area) Laurel Lee, a former secretary of state, has the support of CULAC and the league.
Primaries Updates
Separately, CUNA reported that 14 of the 18 candidates it backed earlier in primaries the week of Aug. 9 won their races, including Democrat Jill Tokuda in her House race in Hawaii.
In Vermont, Democrat Sen. Becca Balint won her primary for the At-large District with support from CULAC and the Association of Vermont Credit Unions. If elected, she will be Vermont’s first woman elected to Congress, CUNA noted.
In Minnesota, CULAC and Minnesota Credit Union Network backed Republican former state Rep. Brad Finstad, who won the special election to replace the late Rep. Jim Hagedorn, R-01. Finstad, who will fill the seat for the remainder of this Congress, also won the Republican primary to be on the November ballot.
In Alaska, CULAC and the Alaska Credit Union League backed Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who won her Senate primary.
In Wyoming, Rep. Liz Cheney, as expected, lost her race but had credit unions’ support.
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