CULAC Funds Roll Out as Election Season Heats Up

WASHINGTON-CUNA’s political coffers spit out the most money in one month so far this election cycle (2003-04) in August, but still kept a cool nearly half a million on hand. The Credit Union Legislative Action Council of CUNA disbursed $280,994.02 during the month of August, according to Federal Election Commission filings. CULAC began the month with just over $630,000 in its pocket, took in nearly $142,000, and ended cash on hand with $490,922.24. Texans were a prime target of CULAC’s contributions last month, with Congressmen Randy Neugebauer (R) and Chet Edwards (D) receiving top contributions of $5,000. Additionally, House Financial Services Committee Member Jeb Hensarling (R) received $3,000; House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R) got $3,000; Lloyd Doggett received a $3,000 contribution; Financial Services Committee Member Ruben Hinojosa (D) received $2,500; and Ron Paul (R) got $2,500 from CULAC, as did John Culberson (R). The Democrat who edged out Ciro Rodriguez (D-Texas) in his reelection bid, Henry Cuellar, also received a $2,500 injection from CULAC. Other top recipients from CULAC included Appropriations Committee Member Allen Boyd (D-Fla.; $5,000); Congressman Jon Porter (R-Nev.; $4,000); Congressman Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.; $5,000), who is running for the seat of retiring Senator Zell Miller (D); Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act co-sponsor Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.; $4,000); 14-term Congressman Dale Kildee (D-Mich.; $5,000); and Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Mich.; $5,000). Additionally, Geoff Davis, a Kentucky Republican who is running for Congressman Ken Lucas’ (D-Ky.) open seat, received $5,000, as did Florida State Senator Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D), who is running for the congressional seat vacated by Peter Deutsch (D) to run for the state’s open Senate seat. [email protected]