94 CUNA-supported candidates succeed in Super Tuesday primaries
WASHINGTON, DC (March 4, 2020) — Super Tuesday’s primary election saw multiple credit union-supported Congressional candidates progress to the general election as their party’s nominee for the November 3rd general election. States holding primary contests Tuesday included Alabama, Arkansas, California, North Carolina and Texas.
CULAC, CUNA and its League partners supported a combined 96 candidates for the U.S. House and Senate on the ballot in those states. Of those, 94 have successfully advanced, with two candidates’ races to be called. In these outstanding races, each credit union-supported candidate leads in their respective tallies.
Among closely watched races involving incumbents, CULAC and the Cornerstone Credit Union League supported veteran Republican lawmaker Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX-12). Granger has a history of supporting credit unions and succeeded in a primary challenge by former technology executive Chris Putnam. CULAC and CCUL also supported Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28), who advanced over progressive attorney Jessica Cisneros. Cuellar is a longtime champion of credit union issues.
Notable open seat wins include
- State Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC-2), supported by CULAC and the Carolinas Credit Union League, prevailed in a four-candidate primary race for the seat currently held by retiring Rep. George Holding (R).
- Gina Ortiz Jones (D-TX-23), with support from CULAC and the Cornerstone Credit Union League, overcame a five-way Democratic primary, and will face a Republican in November in what will be one of the most closely watched Congressional races in the country to replace retiring Rep. Will Hurd (R).
Races that have yet to be called, but where credit union-backed candidates are leading, include:
- California state Assemblywoman Christy Smith (D), supported by CULAC and the California Credit Union League, is leading in two races. The first is the primary to serve the remainder of the term of former Rep. Katie Hill (D-CA-25), who resigned in November. The top two candidates for this election will proceed to a special election to be held May 12th.
- Smith is also leading in the primary for the same seat’s full-term election to take place in November. CULAC and the California Credit Union League intend to support Smith in this election, too.
- State Assemblyman Jay Obernotle (R-CA-8), backed by CULAC and the California Credit Union League, is leading in his primary for the seat vacated by retiring Rep. Paul Cook (R).
Previously, CUNA backed Wisconsin state Senator Tom Tiffany (R) in his primary for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District, a seat recently vacated after the resignation of Rep. Sean Duffy in September.
CUNA recently announced it will spend a record $7 million in the 2020 election cycle to support congressional candidates on both sides of the aisle.
To date, 100% of CUNA-supported candidates have been successful in primary contests called.
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 135 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. To find your nearest credit union, visit YourMoneyFurther.com.
