WASHINGTON–Several election primaries for the House of Representatives are taking place today, with credit unions supporting candidates in several races.
In North Carolina, redistricting has led to a delay in the U.S. House primaries, with other primaries having already taken place on schedule. The legislature decided that no runoffs will take place in 2016, and the candidate who receives the most votes in each election will automatically win the primary.
Among those whose seats have been affected by the redrawn districts is Rep. Walter Jones, who has also been targeted by banks in North Carolina for being too friendly with credit unions. A PAC, “Friends of Traditional Banking,” has even called the representative “Credit Union Jones,” according to CUNA’s chief political officer, Richard Gose. Jones, a Republican, is running against fellow Republican Taylor Griffin, who has received $68,000 in independent expenditure support from banking groups, Gose said. The state’s credit unions and CULAC have both provided support to Jones.
Also in North Carolina, Robert Pittenger (R) is running for re-election but as the result of redistricting his district has seen significant changes. Pittenger, whom Gose said has “been a friend to credit unions for some time,” is running against fellow Republican Mark Harris for the seat.
While a number of other primaries are also taking place, Gose said CUNA is paying particular attention to three open seat races in California. Among those receiving support from credit unions are Democrat Jimmy Panetta in the 20th congressional district; Isadore Hall, a Democrat and California state senator running to represent the 44rth district, and former California State Senator Lou Correa, who is running to represent California’s 46th district.
All of those candidates have received support from credit unions, according to CUNA’s Trey Hawkins.
In all, six states are conducting elections today.