New House Member Got CUBacking

WASHINGTON - (08/22/05) -- CUNA said it contributed the maximumallowable $5,000 campaign contribution to Republican Jean Schmidtjust a few weeks before Schmidt won election to Ohio's 2nd DistrictHouse Seat. The former State Rep. defeated Iraqi war veteranDemocrat Paul Hackett in the special election to succeed RepublicanRob Porter, who was named U.S. Trade Representative. CUNA said itmade a total of $114,500 in campaign contributions last month. Thebiggest contributions went to: Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich. ($5,000)and Les Miller, a Republican candidate for Florida's 11th DistrictHouse seat ($5,000). CUNA also made contributions to severalleadership PACs, including AmeriPAC, operated by House MinorityWhip Steny Hoyer, D-Md. ($5,000); The Freedom Fund, which supportsRepublican candidates ($5,000); and Majority in Congress PAC,operated by Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., brother of CUNA President DanMica ($1,000). CUNA also contributed $500 to the fledgling SenateCampaign for Bernie Sanders, an Independent House member fromVermont and the only self-avowed Socialist in Congress, who is along-time credit union ally.