WASHINGTON–CUNA is reporting that candidates backed by its PAC, the Credit Union Legislative Action Committee, won approximately 90% of their races in this week’s elections, with several outcomes still pending.
Of the 400 candidates who received funds from the more than $7 million spent by CULAC, 330 have won their seats, according to Trey Hawkins, deputy chief advocacy officer for political action with CUNA.
That includes more than 30 open seat candidates where the CULAC-backed candidate was successful.
Of that $7 million, approximately $3 million was spent in the form of independent expenditures for “credit union champions” who were in especially close races, according to CUNA.
Of those, six have won their races, one has lost and four races have yet to be called.
Among those champions:
- In Maine, Rep. Jared Golden (D) defeated Republican challenger Dale Crafts
- In Nevada, Rep. Susie Lee (D) is leading republican challenger Dan Rodmer
- In Ohio, Rep. Steve Chabot (R) defeated Democratic challenger Kate Schroder
- In Indiana, Rep. Ron Bacon (R) has won reelection
- In New Jersey, Andy Kim (D) defeated Republican challenger David Richter.
- In New Mexico, Democrat Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, who had the backing of credit unions, lost her race to Republican Yvette Herrell.
Senate Races
Senate races credit unions CUNA is also watching included:
- In Alabama, Republican challenger Tommy Tuberville defeated incumbent Democrat Sen. Doug Jones
- In Arizona, Democrat Mark Kelly defeated incumbent Republican Sen Martha McSally
- In Minnesota, Democrat Sen. Tina Smith defeated her Republican challenger, Jason Lewis
- In Michigan, Sen. Gary Peters (D), after initially trailing Republican challenger John James, eventually won and was re-elected.
- In Montana, Sen. Steve Daines (R) has defeated challenger Steve Bullock.
- In Maine, Republican Sen. Susan Collins holds a lead over challenger Sara Gideon
‘Having an Impact’
The Democrats are expected to retain control of the House, and the Republicans control of the Senate.
“We feel like in these priority races we had an impact on behalf of our credit union champions,” said Hawkins, adding he believes the credit union expenditures were the difference makers in some of the “razor thin” races. “Don Bacon prevailed as a Republican despite fact Joe Biden won the district. We think that’s in part due to some of our smart investments to educate credit union members not on a partisan basis. He supported CUs that were able to support small business.”