WASHINGTON — America’s Credit Unions said it and its Political Action Committee (PAC) will spend a combined $8 million in independent expenditures and member communications during the 2026 midterm election cycle to support candidates who are “credit union champions.”
According to America’s Credit Unions, the spending is aimed at helping elect a credit-union-friendly 120th Congress. The organization said it ranked among the top PACs for candidate contributions during the 2024 election cycle, adding that its PAC reflects a grassroots donor base, with average contributions of less than $100 per donor annually.
“America’s Credit Unions is bipartisan and laser-focused on electing credit union champions. 146 million Americans rely on cooperative finance for safe, affordable financial services, and our political support helps candidates who understand the credit union difference,” President and CEO Scott Simpson said in a statement. “As an advocacy organization, America’s Credit Unions works to secure an environment where credit unions thrive, and that requires strong relationships with lawmakers.”
America’s Credit Unions said its PAC efforts will begin this week with advertising and outreach in states including California and Alabama, where voters will see messaging supporting candidates who have backed credit union priorities. Those priorities include preserving the federal income tax exemption for credit unions, protecting interchange income and addressing fraud, the organization said.
The group said it worked closely with league partners to target communications to credit union members.
Focus on Three Primaries
According to America’s Credit Unions, supported candidates and communications include a combined $1 million spend on three primary races:
- Young Kim (R-CA-40): Independent expenditure in direct mail and digital ads in a newly drawn district.
- Brad Sherman (D-CA-32): A coordinated member communications campaign targeting credit union voters with direct mail and digital ads in partnership with California’s Credit Unions.
- Rhett Marques (R-AL-01): A coordinated member communications campaign targeting credit union voters with digital ads and direct mail in partnership with The League for a candidate the organization described as a proven credit union champion running in an open seat.
America’s Credit Unions said the current political environment underscores the importance of credit union representation in Washington, adding that it is focused on electing candidates who will support the industry’s ability to serve 146 million Americans, including teachers, first responders, military members, veterans and small business owners.
The organization said its PAC ranks among the five largest association PACs in the country and maintains a bipartisan approach, with contributions split nearly evenly between Democrats and Republicans.
