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ACU Calls For Full Political Engagement As Election Cycle Heats Up, Warns Of Well-Funded Opposition

 

WASHINGTON--Credit unions need every advocacy resource at their disposal, and in an election year, that means supporting credit union champions, America’s Credit Unions emphasized.

ACU President/CEO Scott Simpson and Head of Political Affairs Trey Hawkins outlined credit unions’ role in supporting those champions in the 120th Congress as the 2026 election cycle resumes with primaries next week.

scott simpson

Scott Simpson

“It’s important that we defend those who defend us, that we help those who help us,” Simpson said, referring to policymakers who have supported the credit union tax status and regulatory relief, while opposing new interchange mandates, to name a few issues. “This is an opportunity for us to lean in, to marshal all the available resources that we can. Our counterparts in the for-profit financial space, those who are devoted to harming us, can vastly out-resource us.”

Hawkins shared potential outcomes for control of chambers of Congress, but noted credit unions have support regardless of who controls the gavel.

“We don't have a position on whether Democrats or Republicans take control. What we want is a pro-credit union Congress,” he said. “We've got friends across the aisle, America's Credit PAC is one of the most bipartisan in the country in terms of its giving, it’s almost right down the middle, 50-50 Democrats to Republicans, in terms of our political support.”

“We're uniquely positioned with the work that you do to make the lives of your members and communities more affordable. This is perfectly aligned with the message that politicians on both sides of the aisle are leaning in to,” Hawkins said, adding credit unions’ work across the country to increase affordability places them in those conversations leading to November.

While the president’s party traditionally loses seats in the midterms, mid-cycle redistricting and a near-record number of open Congressional seats present challenges and opportunities for credit union champions, ACU said.

This week America’s Credit Unions announced spending in three primary races, with more announcements coming as the primaries continue. 

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