WASHINGTON–With just two weeks to go until the midterm elections, CUNA continues to put money behind candidates using independent expenditures, and said it will make announcements of additional expenditures later this week.
As CUToday.info earlier reported here, last week CUNA announced its Credit Union Legislative Action Committee (CULAC) was pouring more than $1.2 million into just five races, including $525,000 for digital advertising and direct mail in support of Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN), who is in a tight race.
Independent expenditures are directed at the general public but conducted independently of the candidate, his or her campaign, and the parties.
“Our advertising is entirely positive in nature, which helps us cut through the clutter of negative ads and ultimately is helpful to the candidates we are trying to help,” said CUNA’s deputy chief advocacy officer, Trey Hawkins.
Hawkins added CULAC is engaged “very aggressively” in partisan communications around the country, and that on top of the recent announcements it has spent $3.5 million to support more than 375 candidates in the current election cycle.
Receiving Support
In addition to Donnelly, CULAC has also recently announced support for:
- In the Montana Senate, CULAC is spending $250,000 on an IE in support of Sen. Jon Tester (D) comprised of direct mail, digital ads on Pandora, and radio ads
- In Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, CULAC is spending just over $76,000 on direct mail IEs in support of Rep. Tom O’Halleran (D)
- In Ohio’s 1st Congressional District, CULAC is spending $200,000 on an IE in support of Rep. Steve Chabot (R), comprised of television, radio and digital ads
- In Texas 32nd Congressional District, CULAC is spending $200,000 on an IE in support of Rep. Pete Sessions (R), including ads on television, radio, digital, and a website, www.CreditUnionsforSessions.com.
It has also partnered with the West Virginia CU League to support Sen. Joe Manchin, while in North Carolina CULAC has partnered with the Carolinas CU League to back Rep. Ted Budd (R).