WASHINGTON–It’s Super Tuesday, and for credit unions it will mean watching congressional primary races in five state as well as oral arguments today in a case involving the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
While much of the media attention is on the Democratic presidential candidates on Super Tuesday, there are also key congressional races taking place in 14 states. In five of those states – Alabama, Arkansas, California, North Carolina and Texas--the respective state leagues along with the Credit Union Legislative Action Council (CULAC), CUNA’s PAC, have made political contributions., according to Trey Hawkins, CUNA’s deputy chief officer for political action.
In Texas, credit unions are supporting two incumbents. In the 12th district, Hawkins said CULAC and the Cornerstone Credit Union Association have gotten behind Rep. Kay Granger (R). In the 23rd district, CUs have backed Rep. Henry Cuellar (D). Both have been strong credit union supporters, said Hawkins.
One Unique Race
Also in Texas, credit unions are supporting Gina Ortiz Jones, a former Air Force intelligence officer, who narrowly lost in the prior election. “We expect her to win that primary and then be our candidate in the Fall,” said Hawkins.
In North Carolina, a number of seats are open due to redistricting and a decision by several Republican incumbents not to seek reelection. In the newly redrawn second congressional district, CULAC and the Carolinas CU League are supporting State Rep. Deborah Ross.
In the 25th district in Southern California there is something of a unique situation as candidates vie to fill a seat vacated by the resignation of Democrat Katie Hill. The California league and CULAC are supporting California State Assemblywoman Christy Smith. Smith appears on the ballot twice; first to fill the remainder of Hill’s current term, and then separately as a candidate to win the Democratic primary for a spot on the ballot in November for the same seat.
CUToday.info will have coverage of the race results.
Supreme Court Arguments
Separately, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case Seila Law vs. the CFPB at which the constitutionality of the Bureau’s single director status and the ability of the president to appoint and remove the director will be addressed. The case has created a unique situation with the administration choosing not to defend the structure of the Bureau, which was created by the Dodd-Frank Act. Both CUNA and NAFCU have filed briefs in the case and advocated for the Bureau to move to a five-person board.
CUNA’s Alexander Monterrubio, senior director, advocacy and counsel, said he expects the Court to issue its decision in early summer.