The 2018 elections truly are already under way, with candidates announcing regularly for federal and state level roles. And with Congress on a short recess, last week provided an excellent opportunity for credit unions to grow the connections with federal legislators while they were back in Georgia in their districts:
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U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall (standing) expresses his thanks to the credit union industry On August 21st the credit union industry held a political fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall (R-7) at Georgia United CU. Congressman Woodall has been an avid credit union supporter since his first days in office, and publicly credits the industry as the one that supported his race when he first ran in 2010. This strong relationship has been helpful across the board on credit union issues and legislation, and credit unions would benefit from his return to office – something that will be challenging as he already has multiple opponents in both parties announced to run against him for 2018. Thank you to the credit union leaders from Associated CU, Delta Community CU, Excel FCU, GEMC FCU, Georgia United CU, LGE Community CU, MembersFirst CU, credit union counsel from Thompson, O’Brien, Kemp and Nasuti, and GCUA who showed out in force at the event, and to the several other credit union leaders who sent donations!
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From left: J.J. Seman, Eric McKelvey, Ben Brannin, and Leo Berard, all of Kinetic CU On August 21st Kinetic CU represented all credit unions at a political event for U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-2). Rep. Bishop is a consistent supporter of credit union legislation in Congress, and knows the importance the industry plays in the lives of his constituents. He has proven to be a significant ally over the years since his first Congressional term in 1993, and this strong understanding and support is the output of consistent work of the credit unions in the district to create a positive ongoing relationship.
These two Congressmen are good examples of how credit unions being engaged in campaigns regularly can help support individuals – regardless of party affiliation – who will stand up for the issues important to credit unions and the members you serve. And like every legislator in the U.S. House, they are up for re-election every two years – races that no one is taking for granted in the upcoming 2018 cycle.
