CUNA Announces Independent Support for Incumbent House Members
CUNA expects to spend $7 million on House and Senate elections this year.
CUNA has expanded its independent spending on political candidates to the House this week—announcing support for two Republican incumbents and two Democratic incumbents.
The four are engaged in potentially tight races with their opponents. CUNA recently announced independent expenditures for senators in tight races.
Independent expenditures may not be coordinated with a candidate’s campaign. Instead, support such as advertising must be made independently and identify CUNA as the sponsor of the ad. CUNA did not disclose the amount it is spending on each candidate and it is not reflected in the most recent financial disclosure report filed with the Federal Election Commission. That report covered spending through the end of August.
CUNA has said it expects to spend $7 million on House and Senate elections this year.
The four candidates receiving independent support are:
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.)
CUNA is sending out direct mail and running digital video ads on behalf of Bacon. His Democratic opponent is Kara Eastman, a former member of the Metropolitan Community College Board of Governors.
Eastman ran against Bacon in 2018; the race was extremely close, with Bacon receiving 51% of the vote and Eastman receiving 49%.
Rep, Rodney Davis (R-Ill.)
Voters are receiving direct mail and watching video ads endorsing Davis, in a race being targeted by the campaign arms of Republican and Democratic House members.
In 2018, Davis defeated Democrat Betsy Londrigan by a 0.8% margin. Londrigan again is Davis’ Democratic opponent this year.
Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.)
CUNA is sending out direct mail and using digital video ads on Kim’s behalf. One of the digital ads touts Kim’s work on providing federal assistance to battle COVID-19.
It concludes, “COVID is relentless. We’re lucky our congressman is too.”
Kim defeated two-term incumbent Republican Rep. Tom MacArthur in 2018. This year, his opponent is Republican David Richter.
Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.)
CUNA is sending direct mail to voters and producing digital ads in support of Torres Small. One digital ad mentions her support of small businesses and lenders that need assistance as a result of the coronavirus crisis. It states, “She’s independent. Just like New Mexico.”
Torres Small was elected in 2018, when the GOP incumbent, Rep. Steve Pearce decided to run for governor. Her 2020 opponent is Yvette Herrell, who also challenged her in 2018.
“We don’t choose candidates by their partisan affiliation,” said Trey Hawkins, CUNA deputy chief advocacy officer for political action said, in explaining the support. “Like every candidate we support, these four credit union champions have recognized and supported policies that ensure their constituents can access people-over-profit financial services.”