America’s Credit Unions And Its PAC Invests 'Record' $10 million In 2026 Midterm Election
By CU Today Staff —
WASHINGTON--America’s Credit Unions and its PAC announced a $10-million political investment for the 2026 midterm elections, a "record investment" from the credit union industry to elect "proven credit union champions" to the 120th Congress, ACU said.
"America’s Credit Unions serves as the unified national advocacy voice for the nation’s credit union movement, representing more than 4,000 institutions and the 146 million everyday Americans who rely on member-owned cooperative finance. Powered by grassroots contributions, America’s Credit Unions PAC ranks among the top trade association political action committees in the United States, maintaining a strictly balanced bipartisan profile," ACU said.
“Amid the high-stakes facing our financial system, credit unions are deliberately bringing our full resources to bear in this election cycle,” said Scott Simpson, president/CEO of America’s Credit Unions. “Our record $10-million investment is to ensure that our industry is actively shaping the policy environment. We are mobilizing our national grassroots base to back candidates on both sides of the aisle who understand that supporting credit unions means protecting access to affordable credit for working families, family farms, and Main Street businesses.”
With a bipartisan spending split, America’s Credit Unions said its PAC has seen 96% of backed candidates win their respective primaries and advance to the November general election. This includes 303 individual candidates with a full range of investments, including direct candidate contributions, independent expenditures, member communications and canvassing. Among those supported are 44 open-seat candidates.
"As control of Congress runs through tightly contested swing districts, America’s Credit Unions is directly intervening in key battlegrounds across the country. Nearly $5 million of the total outlay is allocated for aggressive digital advertising, targeted direct mail, and in-district voter contact operations to support champions in marquee races," ACU said.
Key general election battlegrounds receiving direct investment include:
"As control of Congress comes down to a handful of closely contested seats, credit unions cannot afford to sit on the sidelines,” said Trey Hawkins, head of political affairs at America's Credit Unions. “Lawmakers from both parties recognize that credit unions provide essential financial access to families and small businesses back home. Our focus with this historic investment is straightforward: back candidates on both sides of the aisle who have proven they will stand up for Main Street and protect the millions of everyday Americans who depend on them."
The PAC, ACU said, expects to see over 340 total candidates on the general election ballot and will be rolling out additional advertising announcements closer to November.
"America’s Credit Unions remains committed to advocating for policies that strengthen the credit union movement and ensure credit unions can continue delivering financial well-being, economic opportunity, and trusted service to communities nationwide," ACU added.
Originally reported by CU Today.