If you think credit unions are just those friendly neighborhood banks your parents told you about, think again.
America’s Credit Unions just announced they’re throwing down a record-breaking $10 million for the 2026 midterm elections — and they’re not picking sides.
This isn’t your typical corporate PAC story. We’re talking about an industry that represents more than 4,000 credit unions serving 146 million everyday Americans. That’s nearly half the country relying on member-owned cooperative finance. And now they’re making sure Congress remembers who they work for.
Why the Big Spend?
“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 and CEO of America’s Credit Unions. Translation? The policy environment is getting complicated, and credit unions want a seat at the table — or more accurately, they want to make sure the right people are sitting at that table.
Simpson put it plainly: “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.”
The Numbers Tell a Story
Here’s where it gets interesting. America’s Credit Unions PAC has backed 303 individual candidates so far, and 96% of them won their primaries and are heading to the November general election. That’s not just throwing money around — that’s strategic.
The investment breaks down into direct candidate contributions, independent expenditures, member communications, and good old-fashioned canvassing. Among the candidates they’re supporting are 44 people running for open seats, which could genuinely shift the balance of power in Congress.
Where the Money’s Going
Nearly $5 million of the total is earmarked for the heavy-hitting stuff: digital advertising, direct mail, and boots-on-the-ground voter contact operations in key battleground districts. Because when control of Congress comes down to a handful of swing seats, you can’t afford to play it safe.
Some of the marquee races getting direct investment include:
U.S. Senate:
- Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine)
- Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) in his Senate bid
U.S. House of Representatives:
- Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.-06)
- Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nev.-03)
- Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.-03)
- Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.-22)
- Jennifer Balkcom (R-N.C.-11)
What’s Really at Stake
Trey Hawkins, Head of Political Affairs at America’s Credit Unions, frames it this way: “As control of Congress comes down to a handful of closely contested seats, credit unions cannot afford to sit on the sidelines.” He’s got a point. Lawmakers from both parties recognize that credit unions provide essential financial access to families and small businesses back home.
The PAC’s approach is refreshingly straightforward — back candidates who’ve actually proven they’ll stand up for Main Street. No partisan games, no ideological litmus tests. Just a focus on protecting the millions of Americans who depend on credit unions for their financial well-being.
The Bigger Picture
America’s Credit Unions PAC ranks among the top trade association political action committees in the country, and it maintains a strictly balanced bipartisan profile. This matters because it’s powered entirely by grassroots contributions — real people chipping in to support an industry that serves real people.
The organization expects over 340 total candidates on the general election ballot and plans to roll out additional advertising closer to November. Their mission? Keep advocating for policies that strengthen the credit union movement so these institutions can continue delivering economic opportunity and trusted service to communities nationwide.
In an era where financial access feels increasingly like a luxury rather than a right, that’s a mission worth paying attention to.
Related:
Credit Unions Launch Major Campaign to Remind Washington Why They Matter