Kanjorski big money winner from CULAC this month

WASHINGTON-Congressman Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.), a strong credit union supporter, may be in for a tense race next year, so the Credit Union Legislative Action Committee of CUNA (CULAC) contributed $9,000 to his campaign last month. Pennsylvania is not finished drawing up the redistricting lines, but, according to CUNA Political Director Karen Kincer, there is a strong possibility Kanjorski could be up against fellow Democratic incumbent Tim Holden. Kanjorski will be running for his tenth term; he serves on the Financial Services Committee. He was a strong champion of H.R. 1151 and has been “a long-standing friend to credit unions,” Kincer said. Other top CULAC contributions from October went to first-term Senator Tim Hutchinson (R-Ark.) ($5,000); Senator Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) ($4,000); and Representatives Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) ($4,000); Mike Ross (D-Ark.) ($2,500); Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.) ($2,500); John Linder (R-Ga.) ($2,500); and Darlene Hooley (D-Ore.) ($2,500). Kincer noted that CULAC was ranked 25th last election cycle (1999-2000) for disbursements and expects to be about the same this time around (2001-2002). She said that CUNA’s war chest is on track for a record election cycle. “We’re hopeful to break $2 million in this election cycle,” she said. She remarked that CULAC was keenly aware of the possible effects of September 11 on receipts to the PAC, but there has not been a slow down thus far. One-fifth of disbursements ($213,339.65) for the year ($1,083,277.93) went out during the month of October, another effect of the terrorist attacks. Kincer said that fundraising efforts by lawmakers slowed significantly during September out of respect, but October seemed to make up for lost time. Additionally, new leagues signed up for CULAC’s commemorative state coin program. CULAC began October with $298,110.70 on hand and closed the month down to $187,802.17. The PAC took in just over $103,000.