WASHINGTON–With primaries and/or special elections taking place in five states today, CUNA and the respective state leagues are actively involved in three of those races.
Primaries are taking place in Kansas, Michigan, Hawaii, and Washington State, with a special election being held in Ohio.
According to Trey Hawkins, deputy chief advocacy officer with CUNA, the races in which credit unions have been involved include:
- Kansas Fourth District. In a strange quirk, the two candidates in the Republican primary are both named Ron Estes. Credit unions are backing the incumbent, Rep. Ron Estes, over his opponent, who is Ron M. Estes. Rep. Estes has previously served on the supervisory committee of Mid America Credit Union and has been a CU supporter, said Hawkins, who conceded that the similar names does make for a “little bit of a concern. We are working with Kansas’ credit unions in the district to make sure they vote for the real Ron Estes, the incumbent.”
- Michigan Ninth District. This is another race in which a name is playing a role. In the Democratic primary, credit unions are supporting Andy Levin, who is looking to succeed his father, Rep. Sandy Levin, who is retiring.
- Ohio 12th District, Special Election. This race has been receiving extra attention as it’s a seat Democrats are hoping to switch from red to blue. With the resignation of Rep. Pat Tiberi, Republican Troy Balderson is facing off against Democrat Danny O’Connor in what is expected to be a tight race. CULAC and the Ohio Credit Union League have put their bets on Balderson. But whomever wins will have a short term in the current Congress, and the two will face off again in November for a full term.