ND Primary Results!

​John Alexander: Do You Hear Those Bells Ringing After That Win? DakCU's Unstoppable Political Support Shines Through! 

John Alexander

by John Alexander, Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs

Did you exercise your right to vote on the 11th? I certainly hope so! Your vote could have been the game-changer in yesterday's elections for state representatives and senators. At the Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU), our advocacy efforts are heavily focused on identifying and supporting pro-credit union candidates during election seasons.

This year's primaries were particularly impactful. We threw our support behind 20 state legislators, ranging from representatives to senators. Thanks to the generous contributions from our donors, our Political Action Committee (PAC) was able to funnel crucial funds into campaigns that desperately needed a boost amid primary challenges. In North Dakota, where the political landscape is dominated by Republicans (78% of the delegation are Republicans, with the remaining 22% being Democrats) our strategic choices were crucial.

We meticulously selected candidates whom we believed had the potential to excel in their political journeys. Our success rate was impressive: we supported winners 90% of the time (of the 20 candidates we backed, 18 emerged victorious). Among these were significant figures like Senator Jerry Klein from District 14, who played a pivotal role in drafting our Field of Membership (FOM) bill last session, and SuAnn Carol Olson, a vocal advocate during our floor hearing in the House and a passionate supporter of Capital Credit Union in Bismarck.

In total, we disbursed $5,900 across various districts in North Dakota, with contributions ranging from $100 to $500. The most common contribution amount was $200, given to 12 individuals. The highest contribution was $500, allocated to Jerry Klein of Senate District 14. Our geographic distribution of funds was extensive, reaching senators and representatives across multiple districts. Notably, Bismarck saw significant activity, with contributions going to Senate and House representatives from Districts 30 and 32.

The 20 individuals that received our contributions undoubtedly bolstered their campaigns. The precise allocation of these funds underscores our commitment to supporting candidates who champion credit union values and legislative priorities.

If you have any questions on the candidates we supported, don't hesitate to contact me. 

ND GAC PAC Scramble
There’s still time to support our credit union Political Action Committee (PAC) that continually advocates for a favorable operating environment for our industry! The North Dakota Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) is holding a PAC Golf Scramble on Thursday, June 20, at Memorial Park Country Club just outside of LaMoure, ND. Individual golfers can join for $150, while a team of four can register for $500. Sponsoring a hole along with a team costs $1,000. The NDGAC PAC Scramble promises to be a spectacular day of golf, camaraderie, and community support. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. (CT) with a shotgun start at 10:00 a.m. Be sure to bring cash for on-course games and beverages! Awards will follow at approximately 3:30 p.m. Register now.  

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​ViClarity Q2 Town Hall Webinar: 3 Hot Topics + Upcoming Rules Review
Join ViClarity for the next town hall webinar on Wednesday, June 26, beginning at 1:00 p.m. (CT) when we will explore the latest trends and challenges in fraud, cybersecurity and fair lending – three topics asked about frequently on the compliance hotlines. Staff from ViClarity will share strategies to assist with fraud prevention, help you understand cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and review upcoming rules and regulations from NCUA and other agencies that impact credit unions. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and stay ahead of upcoming changes in an ever-evolving compliance environment. Sign up today!