Sixty-six credit union supporters won primary elections in California, Iowa, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota Tuesday. Candidates were backed by Credit Union Legislative Action Council (CULAC), CUNA’s federal political action committee along with each state’s League

Tuesday’s results bring the number of credit union wins to 156, a 99% success rate. Complete results are available at cuna.org/elections.

CULAC and the California Credit Union League (CCUL) supported successful candidates in California, including:

• Democratic State Senator Sydney Kamlager took 43.7% of the vote, finishing first in the field, she will run against the eventual second-place finisher in November for the open 37th District seat. Kamlager has a track record of engaging with credit unions at the state level.
• Incumbent Rep. Young Kim, R, took 34.2% of the vote, second in the field, and will run against Democrat Asif Mahmood in November in the newly drawn 40th District.
• Assemblymember Adam Gray (D) defeated challenger Phil Arballo in in the new 13th District—and has collaborated closely with CCUL on its priorities.
• Rep. David Valadao, R, who faced three opponents in the competitive 22nd District. 
• Sen. Alex Padilla, D, and Reps. Maxine Waters, D, and Juan Vargas, D who have all authored credit union-supported legislation, including:
  • The Expanding Financial Access for Underserved Communities Act (H.R. 7003) from Waters, a field of membership modernization that passed the House Financial Services Committee last month, and shepherded the bill through the House Financial Services Committee, which she chairs.
  • House and Senate versions of the Credit Union Board Modernization Act from Vargas and Padilla, which would update credit union board meeting requirements.

In New Jersey, CULAC and CrossState Credit Union Association-backed Democrat Rob Menendez Jr. prevailed in the state’s 8th Congressional District Democratic primary, as well as eight other successful candidates. Menendez won 82.1% of the vote over two challengers, and will run in November to replace the retiring Rep. Albio Sires, D.

In South Dakota, Rep. Dusty Johnson, R, won the At-large District with support from CULAC and Dakota Credit Union Association. 

Two CULAC supported candidates in Mississippi will face a June 28 runoff.

CULAC, along with the Iowa Credit Union League, Mississippi Credit Union Association, New Mexico Credit Union Association, and Dakota Credit Union Association also supported 13 incumbents across their respective states.

CULAC is one of the five largest trade association PACs and among the most bipartisan PACs in the country. CULAC works with state Leagues to identify, vet, and support congressional candidates who support credit unions and the CUNA-League system’s efforts to promote financial well-being for all.