news.cuna.org/articles/114978-cuna-invests-7-million-in-2018-midterm-election

CUNA Invests $7 Million in 2018 Midterm Election

October 1, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Alex McVeigh, CUNA Communications; (202) 508-6767; amcveigh@cuna.coop   

Washington, D.C. (Oct. 1, 2018) - The Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and state credit union Leagues are investing a record-breaking $7 million in support of credit union-friendly candidates for the 2018 midterm election cycle. Today CUNA announced its backing for seven candidates in the 2018 midterm election as part of the $7 million investment, with most of the expenditures coming via from the Credit Union Legislative Action Council (CULAC), the federal PAC of CUNA.  

“CULAC has been the strong political backbone for credit unions for over 40 years and takes a politically strategic approach to campaign contributions,” said Jim Nussle, CUNA president/CEO. “While other industries contributions typically have a political agenda, credit unions’ efforts are focused around helping those who support the cooperative movement and make significant contributions to their community. By engaging in sophisticated and targeted political work, credit unions and their 110 million members see a powerful impact.” 

The seven candidates are supported through multichannel partisan communication campaigns aimed at credit union members.  Supported candidates, and the leagues that coordinated the campaigns, are: 

  • Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), with the Heartland Credit Union Association; 
  • Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-Maine), coordinated with the Maine Credit Union League; 
  • Rep. John Culberson (R-Texas), with the Cornerstone Credit Union League; 
  • Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.), with the Illinois Credit Union League; 
  • Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), with the Illinois Credit Union League; 
  • Rep. Rodney Davis, (R-Ill.), with the Illinois Credit Union League; 
  • Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.), with the Illinois Credit Union League. 

CUNA has engaged in partisan communications for nine election cycles. These campaigns consist of targeted communications to credit union members who are registered voters in the respective jurisdiction and consist of direct mail, targeted digital media and members-only websites.  

To date, CULAC has supported over 372 candidates for House and Senate on the November 2018 ballot, including 40 open seat candidates and one challenger, with a 50/50 split between Democrats and Republicans.  

Earlier this fall, CUNA launched Credit Unions Vote, a campaign focused on getting credit union members to vote in the November elections. The credit union movement fosters an environment of community involvement and is encouraging members to make their voice heard with their vote.  According to recent data, 1 in 3 Americans are credit union members and 44% of registered voters belong to a credit union.  

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About CUNA:     

Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions, which are owned by 110 million consumer members. CUNA, along with its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, delivers unwavering advocacy, continuous professional growth and operational confidence to protect the best interests of all credit unions. For more information about CUNA, visit cuna.org.