WASHINGTON–While the coronavirus has shut down numerous public gatherings, travel and other day-to-day essentials, three states are moving forward today with their primaries.
Arizona, Florida, and Illinois are all hosting 2020 primaries on this Tuesday, but Ohio has opted to delay its primary today. Ohio had been one of two states where credit unions were substantially invested in the outcome of the race, as both included congressional races. Arizona and Florida are holding primaries only in the presidential race.
Trey Hawkins, vice president-political affairs with CUNA, said the trade group’s Credit Union Legislative Action Council (CULAC) and the respective state leagues are backing 27 candidates for Congress in the two states, with a particular focus on one race in each state. Hawkins offered his comments ahead of the decision by Ohio to postpone its primary.
In Illinois’ third district, credit unions are backing Rep. Dan Lipinski (D) in his re-election bid. Lipinski is facing a tough challenge from Marie Newman. Hawkins called Lipinski a “strong credit union supporter.”
‘Champion’ in Ohio
In Ohio’s third district, credit unions have been supporting Rep. Joyce Beatty (D), whom Hawkins said has been a “credit union champion. We have a great relationship with her.” Beatty is being challenged by Morgan Harper, a former CFPB staffer.
Both districts lean heavily democratic, said Hawkins, and the winner of the democratic primary is expected to win the November general election.
Hawkins added that congressional primaries in two other states, Georgia and Louisiana, that had been scheduled for next week have been pushed back to later in the year due to the coronavirus outbreak.