WASHINGTON–Credit unions are watching primaries in three states today, including one race in which they have made a significant investment.
Primaries are taking place today in Alaska, Florida and Hawaii, with CUNA’s Credit Union Legislative Action Committee (CULAC) and the respective state leagues supporting 23 candidates, 21 for the House and two for the Senate.
CULAC and the League of Southeastern Credit Unions have invested more than $320,000 in support of Republican Dane Eagle, currently the majority leader of the Florida House, in his race for Congress to represent the state’s 10th district, according to Trey Hawkins, VP-political affairs with CUNA.
Hawkins said the race is the first in the current election cycle in which CULAC has gone beyond the standard $5,000 donation.
It’s a crowded race, with nine candidates seeking the Republican nomination in a heavily red district. There are two candidates seeking the Democratic nomination.
“It’s a race we are watching very closely and in which we are very engaged,” said Hawkins.
‘Highly Competitive Race’
The $320,000 CULAC is spending is going toward direct mail and digital ads targeting Republican households with credit union members, according to Hawkins, who said Eagle has been a strong supporter of credit unions while in the Florida legislature.
Despite all the support, Hawkins said Eagle is one of four Republicans who are all “highly competitive” in the race.
The other race CULAC is watching closely today is the race for the Wyoming Senate seat, where credit unions are supporting Republican Cynthia Lummis, one of 10 candidates for a seat being vacated by Sen. Mike Enzi (R).