Club for Growth
Encyclopedia
The Club for Growth is a politically conservative 527 organization active in the United States of America, with an agenda focussed on taxation and other economic issues, and with an affiliated political action committee
(PAC). The Club advocates lower taxes, limited government, less government spending, free trade
, and economic libertarianism. Its PAC endorses and raises money for conservative candidates.
The Club was founded in 1999 by Stephen Moore. The current president is the former Indiana Congressman, Chris Chocola
.
acronym for Republican In Name Only
.) The list has focused on Republicans
who voted against tax changes and budget cuts supported by the Club.
In addition, the Club for Growth also makes independent expenditures encouraging certain moderate Republicans to vote more conservatively (e.g. running ads against Senators George Voinovich
of Ohio
, Olympia Snowe
of Maine
, and Lincoln Chafee
of Rhode Island
after these Senators objected to certain aspects of President
Bush
's tax cuts).
The Club for Growth's website used to feature a "Comrade
of the Month" award, which was given to the public official or figure who, in the Club's words, "best lives up to the policies of big-government
redistribution and restrictions on economic freedom
." In March 2009, Barack Obama
was named the third "Comrade of the Month" in response to his proposed $3.6 trillion budget, which the conservative Heritage Foundation
had projected as liable to result in a doubling of the national debt to $12.5 trillion over ten years.
filed suit against the Club for Growth for violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act
for failing to register as a political action committee in the 2000, 2002, and 2004 congressional elections. In September, 2007 the Club for Growth agreed to pay in civil penalties and criticized the FEC for the lawsuit. The agreement, if approved by a federal judge, would mark the end of the lawsuit.
in the South Carolina gubernatorial Republican primary as he defeated Lt. Gov. Bob Peeler
.
Pat Toomey
, who challenged incumbent Senator
Arlen Specter
in the Republican primary
in Pennsylvania
. The organization was reported to have collected contributions totaling over for Toomey. It also spent $1 million on its own independent television advertising campaign on Toomey's behalf. Specter, who had the support of President Bush, the RNC, and Sen. Rick Santorum
, defeated Toomey by a narrow margin of 51–49%. Afterwards, Toomey accepted the position as President of the Club for Growth which he served as until April 2009.
(R-NE), Doug Lamborn
(R-CO), Bill Sali
(R-ID), and Tim Walberg
(R-MI) all won their heavily contested primary elections in large part because of the Club's involvement. Rep. Walberg defeated moderate incumbent Republican Congressman Joe Schwarz
in the August 2006 Michigan primary. Schwarz was backed by Pres. Bush, Sen. McCain, the NRCC, and almost all of the state's Republican establishment. The Club for Growth criticized Schwarz for a number of liberal views on fiscal issues including his votes against the elimination of earmarks in appropriations bills and his support of higher taxes while in the Michigan Legislature. He was the only incumbent Republican congressman defeated in a primary that year. Walberg went on to lose the seat to Democrat Mark Schauer
in 2008.
The Club successfully supported the reelection of Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar
(D-TX) in a heavily fought race against former Congressman Ciro Rodriguez. They were less successful in supporting the "Three Mikes" for the US Senate (Mike Bouchard
in MI, Mike McGavick
in WA, and Michael Steele in MD.) Sharron Angle
was defeated in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District (CD) in the Republican primary. Angle was the first candidate endorsed by the Club for the 2006 campaign and it spent over a year raising close to one million dollars for her. The result was an exceedingly close loss to Dean Heller
, who would go on to victory in November 2006. The Club additionally supported the losing primary campaigns of Minnesota state senator Phil Krinkie for MN CD 6 and Oklahoma state rep. Kevin Calvey for OK CD 5. The winners of those primaries, Michele Bachmann
and Mary Fallin
respectively, both went on to be elected to congress in November. (The Club supported Michele Bachmann
for re-election in 2008.) The Club also supported incumbent congressman Chris Chocola
in his losing race in Indiana, John Gard's losing effort in WI's CD 8, and Rick O'Donnell's losing effort for the open 7th CD in Colorado. They did support the successful reelection of Rep. Steve Chabot
in a hard fought OH CD 1 victory.
The most high profile race of the year for The Club was their support of conservative Cranston, Rhode Island
mayor Stephen Laffey against moderate incumbent Senator Lincoln Chafee
. Chafee was able to hang on for a 54% to 46% victory in large part because of Democrats that crossed over to vote for him and the strong aid of Sen. Elizabeth Dole
, the NRSC
, President Bush, and the rest of the party's establishment in Rhode Island.
in the special election for Ohio CD 5 to replace the deceased Rep. Paul Gillmor
. Buehrer however was defeated by Bob Latta
, the son of former Rep. Del Latta
, in the Republican primary in November 2007 by a 44% to 40% margin. Latta went on to defeat the Democrat and be elected to congress.
The Club strongly supported Paul Jost
, the chairman of the Virginia chapter of The Club for Growth, in the contest to replace deceased Rep. Jo Ann Davis
in Virginia congressional district 1. In the nominating convention however Jost was defeated by state delegate Rob Wittman
. Wittman went on to win the special general election versus Democrat Phil Forgit and was sworn into congress in December 2007.
Ten Club-supported candidates were defeated in the general election:
, using funds from backers of Mitt Romney
to attack him as the "tax-increasing liberal governor of Arkansas". Huckabee, in turn, has referred to the Club for Growth as the "Club for Greed".
The Club has occasionally made statements both in support and opposition to various proposals by Sen. John McCain
. The Club never endorsed a presidential candidate, but did release statements praising Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin from time to time.
in New York's 23rd congressional district
the Conservative Party of New York
candidate, Doug Hoffman
instead of Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava. With the Club pouring money into Hoffman's campaign, Scozzafava realized that she could not win and withdrew from the race the Sunday before the November 3 special election, endorsing the Democratic candidate Bill Owens. Owens won the election in a district where portions had not had a Democratic congressman since the 19th century.
Political action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
(PAC). The Club advocates lower taxes, limited government, less government spending, free trade
Free trade
Under a free trade policy, prices emerge from supply and demand, and are the sole determinant of resource allocation. 'Free' trade differs from other forms of trade policy where the allocation of goods and services among trading countries are determined by price strategies that may differ from...
, and economic libertarianism. Its PAC endorses and raises money for conservative candidates.
The Club was founded in 1999 by Stephen Moore. The current president is the former Indiana Congressman, Chris Chocola
Chris Chocola
Joseph Christopher "Chris" Chocola is the president of the Club for Growth, a fiscally conservative political organization that supports a low-tax and limited-government agenda....
.
Political initiatives
The Club invented the "RINO Watch" list to monitor what it describes as "Republican office holders around the nation who have advanced egregious anti-growth, anti-freedom or anti-free market policies." (RINO is a pejorativePejorative
Pejoratives , including name slurs, are words or grammatical forms that connote negativity and express contempt or distaste. A term can be regarded as pejorative in some social groups but not in others, e.g., hacker is a term used for computer criminals as well as quick and clever computer experts...
acronym for Republican In Name Only
Republican In Name Only
Republican In Name Only is a pejorative term that refers to a member of the Republican Party of the United States whose political views or actions are considered insufficiently conservative or otherwise not conforming to party positions...
.) The list has focused on Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
who voted against tax changes and budget cuts supported by the Club.
In addition, the Club for Growth also makes independent expenditures encouraging certain moderate Republicans to vote more conservatively (e.g. running ads against Senators George Voinovich
George Voinovich
George Victor Voinovich is a former United States Senator from the state of Ohio, and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, he served as the 65th Governor of Ohio from 1991 to 1998, and as the 54th mayor of Cleveland from 1980 to 1989.-Personal life:Born in Cleveland, Ohio, his father was...
of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, Olympia Snowe
Olympia Snowe
Olympia Jean Snowe , née Bouchles, is the senior United States Senator from Maine and a member of the Republican Party. Snowe has become widely known for her ability to influence the outcome of close votes, including whether to end filibusters. She and her fellow Senator from Maine, Susan Collins,...
of Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, and Lincoln Chafee
Lincoln Chafee
Lincoln Davenport Chafee is an American politician who has been the 74th Governor of Rhode Island since January 2011. Prior to his election as governor, Chafee served in the United States Senate as a Republican from 1999 until losing his Senate re-election bid in 2006 to Democrat Sheldon...
of Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
after these Senators objected to certain aspects of President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
's tax cuts).
The Club for Growth's website used to feature a "Comrade
Comrade
Comrade means "friend", "colleague", or "ally". The word comes from French camarade. The term is frequently used by left-wing organizations around the globe. "Comrade" has often become a stock phrase and form of address. This word has its regional equivalents available in many...
of the Month" award, which was given to the public official or figure who, in the Club's words, "best lives up to the policies of big-government
Big government
Big government is a term generally used by political conservatives, laissez-faire advocates, or libertarians to describe a government or public sector which they consider to be excessively large, corrupt and inefficient, or inappropriately involved in certain areas of public policy or the private...
redistribution and restrictions on economic freedom
Economic freedom
Economic freedom is a term used in economic and policy debates. As with freedom generally, there are various definitions, but no universally accepted concept of economic freedom...
." In March 2009, Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
was named the third "Comrade of the Month" in response to his proposed $3.6 trillion budget, which the conservative Heritage Foundation
Heritage Foundation
The Heritage Foundation is a conservative American think tank based in Washington, D.C. Heritage's stated mission is to "formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong...
had projected as liable to result in a doubling of the national debt to $12.5 trillion over ten years.
Election activities
On September 19, 2005, the Federal Election CommissionFederal Election Commission
The Federal Election Commission is an independent regulatory agency that was founded in 1975 by the United States Congress to regulate the campaign finance legislation in the United States. It was created in a provision of the 1975 amendment to the Federal Election Campaign Act...
filed suit against the Club for Growth for violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act
Federal Election Campaign Act
The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 is a United States federal law which increased disclosure of contributions for federal campaigns. It was amended in 1974 to place legal limits on the campaign contributions...
for failing to register as a political action committee in the 2000, 2002, and 2004 congressional elections. In September, 2007 the Club for Growth agreed to pay in civil penalties and criticized the FEC for the lawsuit. The agreement, if approved by a federal judge, would mark the end of the lawsuit.
2002 Congressional elections
In the 2002 Congressional races, 17 out of 19 candidates endorsed by the organization's PAC won. It also endorsed Mark SanfordMark Sanford
Marshall Clement "Mark" Sanford Jr. is an American politician from South Carolina, who was the 115th Governor of South Carolina from 2003 to 2011....
in the South Carolina gubernatorial Republican primary as he defeated Lt. Gov. Bob Peeler
Bob Peeler
Bob Peeler served as Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina from January 1995 to January 2003. He was defeated in the Republican gubernatorial primary by former Congressman Mark Sanford. He currently serves on the Clemson University Board of Trustees. Peeler, a 1991 graduate of the school, was...
.
2004 Congressional elections
In 2004, the Club for Growth's PAC caused a stir within the Republican Party by endorsing and heavily supporting U.S. RepresentativeUnited States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Pat Toomey
Pat Toomey
Patrick Joseph "Pat" Toomey, Sr. is the junior United States Senator for Pennsylvania and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Toomey served as a U.S. Representative for three terms, but did not seek a fourth in compliance with a pledge he had made while running for office in 1998...
, who challenged incumbent Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Arlen Specter
Arlen Specter
Arlen Specter is a former United States Senator from Pennsylvania. Specter is a Democrat, but was a Republican from 1965 until switching to the Democratic Party in 2009...
in the Republican primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The organization was reported to have collected contributions totaling over for Toomey. It also spent $1 million on its own independent television advertising campaign on Toomey's behalf. Specter, who had the support of President Bush, the RNC, and Sen. Rick Santorum
Rick Santorum
Richard John "Rick" Santorum is a lawyer and a former United States Senator from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Santorum was the chairman of the Senate Republican Conference -making him the third-ranking Senate Republican from 2001 until his leave in 2007. Santorum is considered both a social...
, defeated Toomey by a narrow margin of 51–49%. Afterwards, Toomey accepted the position as President of the Club for Growth which he served as until April 2009.
2006 Congressional elections
After a good deal of electoral success in 2004, the Club continued its policy of supporting candidates who support its positions for federal office, especially during contested primaries. Freshmen U.S. Congressmen Adrian M. SmithAdrian M. Smith
Adrian M. Smith is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the Nebraska Legislature.-Early life, education and career:...
(R-NE), Doug Lamborn
Doug Lamborn
Doug Lamborn is the U.S. Representative for , in office since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district is based in Colorado Springs.-Early life, education, and early career:Lamborn was born in Leavenworth, Kansas...
(R-CO), Bill Sali
Bill Sali
William Thomas "Bill" Sali served a single term in the United States House of Representatives, representing from 2007 to 2009. Sali previously served in the Idaho Legislature as a member of the House....
(R-ID), and Tim Walberg
Tim Walberg
Timothy Lee "Tim" Walberg is the current U.S. Representative for , and was also the former Congressman for the district from 2007 to 2009.-Early life, education, and religious career:...
(R-MI) all won their heavily contested primary elections in large part because of the Club's involvement. Rep. Walberg defeated moderate incumbent Republican Congressman Joe Schwarz
Joe Schwarz
John J. H. "Joe" Schwarz, M.D. , an independent politician from Michigan, was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2004 as a moderate Republican...
in the August 2006 Michigan primary. Schwarz was backed by Pres. Bush, Sen. McCain, the NRCC, and almost all of the state's Republican establishment. The Club for Growth criticized Schwarz for a number of liberal views on fiscal issues including his votes against the elimination of earmarks in appropriations bills and his support of higher taxes while in the Michigan Legislature. He was the only incumbent Republican congressman defeated in a primary that year. Walberg went on to lose the seat to Democrat Mark Schauer
Mark Schauer
Mark Schauer is the former U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Democratic Party.He was previously a member of the Michigan Senate, where he served as the Minority Leader, and the Michigan House of Representatives....
in 2008.
The Club successfully supported the reelection of Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar
Henry Cuellar
Henry Roberto Cuellar is the U.S Representative for , serving since 2005. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district extends from the Rio Grande to the suburbs of San Antonio, including Guadalupe County and nearby Wilson County.Outside of politics, he has served as a professor at the...
(D-TX) in a heavily fought race against former Congressman Ciro Rodriguez. They were less successful in supporting the "Three Mikes" for the US Senate (Mike Bouchard
Mike Bouchard
Michael J."Mike" Bouchard was a Republican candidate for governor of Michigan and is the sheriff of Oakland County...
in MI, Mike McGavick
Mike McGavick
Michael S. "Mike" McGavick is an American business executive and a graduate of the University of Washington....
in WA, and Michael Steele in MD.) Sharron Angle
Sharron Angle
Sharron Elaine Angle is an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Nevada Assembly from 1999 to 2007. She ran unsuccessfully as the 2010 Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in Nevada, garnering 45 percent of the vote...
was defeated in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District (CD) in the Republican primary. Angle was the first candidate endorsed by the Club for the 2006 campaign and it spent over a year raising close to one million dollars for her. The result was an exceedingly close loss to Dean Heller
Dean Heller
Dean A. Heller is the junior United States Senator from Nevada and a member of the Republican Party. Heller was appointed by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval to a vacant seat created by the resignation of John Ensign. He was previously a member of the United States House of Representatives,...
, who would go on to victory in November 2006. The Club additionally supported the losing primary campaigns of Minnesota state senator Phil Krinkie for MN CD 6 and Oklahoma state rep. Kevin Calvey for OK CD 5. The winners of those primaries, Michele Bachmann
Michele Bachmann
Michele Marie Bachmann is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing , a post she has held since 2007. The district includes several of the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities, such as Woodbury, and Blaine as well as Stillwater and St. Cloud.She is currently a...
and Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
respectively, both went on to be elected to congress in November. (The Club supported Michele Bachmann
Michele Bachmann
Michele Marie Bachmann is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing , a post she has held since 2007. The district includes several of the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities, such as Woodbury, and Blaine as well as Stillwater and St. Cloud.She is currently a...
for re-election in 2008.) The Club also supported incumbent congressman Chris Chocola
Chris Chocola
Joseph Christopher "Chris" Chocola is the president of the Club for Growth, a fiscally conservative political organization that supports a low-tax and limited-government agenda....
in his losing race in Indiana, John Gard's losing effort in WI's CD 8, and Rick O'Donnell's losing effort for the open 7th CD in Colorado. They did support the successful reelection of Rep. Steve Chabot
Steve Chabot
Steven Joseph "Steve" Chabot is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously represented the district from 1995 to 2009.-Early life, education and career:...
in a hard fought OH CD 1 victory.
The most high profile race of the year for The Club was their support of conservative Cranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. With a population of 80,387 at the 2010 census, it is the third largest city in the state. The center of population of Rhode Island is located in Cranston...
mayor Stephen Laffey against moderate incumbent Senator Lincoln Chafee
Lincoln Chafee
Lincoln Davenport Chafee is an American politician who has been the 74th Governor of Rhode Island since January 2011. Prior to his election as governor, Chafee served in the United States Senate as a Republican from 1999 until losing his Senate re-election bid in 2006 to Democrat Sheldon...
. Chafee was able to hang on for a 54% to 46% victory in large part because of Democrats that crossed over to vote for him and the strong aid of Sen. Elizabeth Dole
Elizabeth Dole
Mary Elizabeth Alexander Hanford "Liddy" Dole is an American politician who served in both the Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush presidential administrations, as well as a United States Senator....
, the NRSC
National Republican Senatorial Committee
The National Republican Senatorial Committee is the Republican Hill committee for the United States Senate, working to elect Republicans to that body. The NRSC was founded in 1916 as the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee...
, President Bush, and the rest of the party's establishment in Rhode Island.
2007 Congressional elections
The Club endorsed state senator Steve BuehrerSteve Buehrer
Stephen P. Buehrer is a former Republican member of the Ohio Senate who represented the 1st District, and was an unsuccessful candidate for U.S. Congress in the special election for Ohio's 5th congressional district to replace the late Paul Gillmor...
in the special election for Ohio CD 5 to replace the deceased Rep. Paul Gillmor
Paul Gillmor
Paul Eugene Gillmor was an American politician of the Republican Party who served as the U.S. Representative from the 5th congressional district of Ohio from 1989 until his death....
. Buehrer however was defeated by Bob Latta
Bob Latta
Robert Edward 'Bob' Latta is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district, the second-largest in the state, includes most of Toledo's suburbs, including Fremont and Bowling Green....
, the son of former Rep. Del Latta
Del Latta
Delbert Leroy "Del" Latta is a former member of the United States House of Representatives. Latta was a Republican from Ohio.-Life and career:...
, in the Republican primary in November 2007 by a 44% to 40% margin. Latta went on to defeat the Democrat and be elected to congress.
The Club strongly supported Paul Jost
Paul Jost
Paul Jost is a businessman, conservative activist and chairman of the Virginia chapter of Club for Growth. Jost was twice a candidate in the Republican nomination for the congressional seat vacated by Herb Bateman in 2000 and again by Jo Ann Davis in 2007. He also ran for Virginia State Senate in...
, the chairman of the Virginia chapter of The Club for Growth, in the contest to replace deceased Rep. Jo Ann Davis
Jo Ann Davis
Jo Ann Davis was a Representative in the U.S. Congress. A member of the Republican Party from the United States Commonwealth of Virginia, she represented the state's from 2001 until her death in 2007. She was the second woman—after Leslie L...
in Virginia congressional district 1. In the nominating convention however Jost was defeated by state delegate Rob Wittman
Rob Wittman
Robert J. Wittman is the U.S. Representative for , serving since a special election in 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district stretches from the fringes of the Washington suburbs to the Hampton Roads area...
. Wittman went on to win the special general election versus Democrat Phil Forgit and was sworn into congress in December 2007.
2008 Congressional elections
The Club entered the 2008 election cycle by continuing to fund Republican candidates for Congress that support their stated goals of less taxes, more trade, and smaller government. In most cases the candidates they support are in "conservative" districts that rarely elect Democrats or "liberal" Republicans.Primary elections
- Maryland CD 1: The Club endorsed state senator Andrew P. HarrisAndrew P. HarrisAndrew P. Harris is an American physician and politician who is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party and formerly served in the Senate of the Maryland General Assembly.-Early life, education and career:...
against the nine term incumbent, Wayne GilchrestWayne GilchrestWayne Thomas Gilchrest is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives who represented . In 2008, the moderate Gilchrest was defeated in the Republican primary by State Senator Andy Harris....
. In the Feb. 12th primary Harris surged to a strong 44% to 32% victory. Gilchrest is the second incumbent Republican to be defeated by a candidate supported by the Club. The first was Rep. Joe Schwarz in Michigan in 2006. Harris was, however, unable to win the general election. - Pennsylvania CD 10: the Club backed Chris Hackett, who defeated Dan Meuser in the primary on April 22, 2008 by 52% to 48%. Chris Hackett was defeated by Chris Carney 56% to 44% in a district that was once considered safe for Republicans.
- In California CD 4, open seat: state senator Tom McClintockTom McClintockThomas Miller McClintock II is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. He is a former Assemblyman and state Senator...
, who defeated former congressman Doug OseDoug OseDouglas Arlo "Doug" Ose is a former California congressman who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1999 to 2005, representing California's 3rd Congressional District...
by 53.7% to 38.7% in the June 3, 2008 primary. - For the open New Mexico senate seat being vacated by Pete DomeniciPete DomeniciPietro Vichi "Pete" Domenici is an American Republican politician, who served six terms as a United States Senator from New Mexico, from 1973 to 2009, the longest tenure in the state's history....
: Congressman Steve PearceSteve PearceStevan Edward "Steve" Pearce is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously held the seat from 2003 to 2009 and was an Assistant Minority Whip.-Early life, education and career:...
, who defeated fellow New Mexico U.S. House member Heather WilsonHeather WilsonHeather A. Wilson , is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives representing from 1998 to 2009...
51% to 49% in the June 3, 2008 primary. (He then lost the general election to Tom Udall.) - Georgia CD 10: incumbent Paul BrounPaul BrounPaul Collins Broun, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party and the Tea Party Caucus.-Early life, education and career:...
who defeated state rep. Barry Fleming 71% to 29% in the July 15, 2008 primary election, to the surprise of virtually all observers. - In Colorado CD 5: incumbent Doug LambornDoug LambornDoug Lamborn is the U.S. Representative for , in office since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district is based in Colorado Springs.-Early life, education, and early career:Lamborn was born in Leavenworth, Kansas...
, who won 46%–29%–25% in a rematch against two opponents he defeated in the primary two years previously. In 2006, Lamborn was one of the biggest upset victors supported by The Club. - In Arizona CD 5: former Maricopa County Treasurer David SchweikertDavid SchweikertDavid Schweikert is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served two terms in the Arizona State House of Representatives , was chairman of the state Board of Equalization , and was the elected Maricopa County Treasurer . He ran for the U.S...
, who narrowly defeated former candidate Susan Bitter-Smith by 29.9% to 28%; there were three other candidates. - In Mississippi's 3rd Congressional DistrictMississippi's 3rd congressional districtMississippi's 3rd congressional district covers central portions of state and stretches from the Louisiana border in the west to the Alabama border in the east....
(open seat), Charlie RossCharlie RossCharlie Ross is an American politician and attorney who lives in Brandon, Mississippi. He served as Senator from District 20 in the Mississippi Senate until 2007. District 20 comprises parts of Madison and Rankin Counties. Charlie was first elected to the Senate in 1997 after serving as the...
, a former state senator. Ross however was defeated in the April 1, 2008 primary run-off election by Gregg Harper 57% to 43%. - In Pennsylvania CD 5 (open seat): The Club endorsed, but did not raise funds for, Matt Shaner. Shaner finished a close second in the crowded April 22, 2008 primary. Pennsylvania does not have runoff elections.
- In Alabama CD 2 (open seat): state senator Harri Anne SmithHarri Anne SmithSenator Harri Anne Smith, a native of Slocomb, Alabama is a graduate of Slocomb High School and received her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Troy State University....
's, who placed second. Smith placed second in the June 3, 2008 primary with 22% of the vote and faced a run-off on July 15, 2008 with State Rep. Jay Love who earned 35% of the vote. The NRCC and most Republican officials eventually endorsed Smith's opponent, and Smith lost the July 15, 2008 runoff 53% to 47%. Smith would go on to endorse Democrat Bobby BrightBobby BrightBobby Neal Bright, Sr. is an American politician who served as U.S. Representative for from 2009 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes just over half of the state capital, Montgomery, as well as most of the Wiregrass Region in the southeastern part of the state....
over Love in the general election and Bright would narrowly defeat Love. - In Missouri CD 9 (open seat): state representative Dr. Bob Onder, who lost August 5, 2008 to former state rep. Blaine LuetkemeyerBlaine LuetkemeyerBlaine Luetkemeyer is the U. S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district contains most of Northeastern Missouri. As a result of the 2010 Census Missouri will lose a Congressional district effective 2013...
39% to 31%. The Club made no mention of Onder's defeat on their webpage. - In an odd twist, The Club ran a series of ads attacking moderate Republican state treasurer Lynn JenkinsLynn JenkinsLynn Jenkins is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. She is a member of the Republican Party. As of the 112th Congress, she is the senior member of Kansas' House delegation...
in her quest to be elected from Kansas' 2nd congressional district, but yet did not endorse her opponent, former Rep. Jim RyunJim RyunJames Ronald Ryun is an American former track athlete and politician, who was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1996 to 2007, representing the 2nd District in Kansas. In the 2006 election, Ryun was defeated by Democratic challenger Nancy Boyda...
. Jenkins faced a heated battle with the former Congressman Ryun as he was seeking to regain the seat he lost in a 2006 upset. The incumbent representative, Democrat Nancy BoydaNancy BoydaNancy Boyda is a former Democratic congresswoman representing .On November 4, 2008, Boyda was defeated for re-election by Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, after serving one term....
, was seen by many as the most vulnerable Democrat in congress and lost in November to Jenkins. On August 5 Jenkins won a narrow 51–49% primary victory over Ryun. The Club made no mention of Ryun's defeat on their webpage. - Alaska At Large: in the August 26th Republican primary fight between Lt. Governor Sean ParnellSean ParnellSean R. Parnell is an American Republican politician who is the tenth and current Governor of Alaska. He succeeded Sarah Palin following her resignation, and was sworn in at the Governor's Picnic in Fairbanks on July 26, 2009...
and incumbent Don YoungDon YoungDonald Edwin "Don" Young is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1973. He is a member of the Republican Party.Young is the 6th most senior U.S. Representative and the 2nd most senior Republican Representative, as well as the 2nd most senior Republican in Congress as a whole...
, the Club spent close to a million dollars against Young, who has long been labeled a king of pork barrel politics and is the father of the "Bridge to NowhereGravina Island BridgeThe Gravina Island Bridge, commonly referred to as the "Bridge to Nowhere", was a proposed bridge to replace the ferry that currently connects the town of Ketchikan, Alaska, with Gravina Island, an island which contains the Ketchikan International Airport as well as 50 residents. The bridge was...
". Parnell lost by just 304 votes out of over 93,000 votes cast.
Special elections
- Louisiana CD 1: State Sen. Steve ScaliseSteve ScaliseStephen Joseph "Steve" Scalise is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2008. He is a member of the Republican Party...
in the May 3, 2008 special election for Louisiana CD 1 to replace Bobby JindalBobby JindalPiyush "Bobby" Jindal is the 55th and current Governor of Louisiana and formerly a member of the United States House of Representatives. He is a member of the Republican Party....
. Scalise won with 75% of the vote. He had previously defeated Tim Burns in the Republican primary by 58% to 42%. - Louisiana CD 6: (open seat, but previously Republican since 1974, and again after the 2008 general election): Woody JenkinsWoody JenkinsLouis Elwood "Woody" Jenkins is a newspaper editor in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1972–2000 and waged three unsuccessful races for the United States Senate....
, who lost the special election Sat. May 3, 2008 to Democrat Don CazayouxDon CazayouxDonald J. 'Don' Cazayoux, Jr. is a former Democratic U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 6th congressional district. He is currently US Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana....
49% to 46%. Louisiana does not have a runoff for special general elections.
General election
Nine Club-supported candidates won seats in the general election:- Rep. Steve ScaliseSteve ScaliseStephen Joseph "Steve" Scalise is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2008. He is a member of the Republican Party...
in Louisiana CD 1 with 66% of the vote. - Rep. Paul BrounPaul BrounPaul Collins Broun, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party and the Tea Party Caucus.-Early life, education and career:...
's successful reelection campaign in Georgia CD 10 by a 61% to 39% tally. - Rep. John ShadeggJohn ShadeggJohn Barden Shadegg is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1995 until 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district, numbered as the 4th District before the 2000 Census, includes much of northern Phoenix....
's successful reelection campaign in Arizona's 4th CD by 54% to 42%. - Rep. Scott GarrettScott GarrettErnest Scott Garrett is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district includes much of the northwestern portion of the state...
's successful reelection campaign in New Jersey's 5th CD by a 56% to 42% margin. - Rep. Doug LambornDoug LambornDoug Lamborn is the U.S. Representative for , in office since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district is based in Colorado Springs.-Early life, education, and early career:Lamborn was born in Leavenworth, Kansas...
's successful reelection campaign for Colorado's 5th CD by a 60% to 37% tally. - Rep. Michele BachmannMichele BachmannMichele Marie Bachmann is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing , a post she has held since 2007. The district includes several of the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities, such as Woodbury, and Blaine as well as Stillwater and St. Cloud.She is currently a...
's successful reelection campaign in Minnesota's 6th CD by a 47% to 44% margin despite being a top Democratic target after her controversial remarks on Chris MatthewsChris MatthewsChristopher John "Chris" Matthews is an American news anchor and political commentator, known for his nightly hour-long talk show, Hardball with Chris Matthews, which is televised on the American cable television channel MSNBC...
's HardballHardball with Chris MatthewsHardball with Chris Matthews is a talk show on MSNBC, broadcast weekdays at 5 and 7 PM hosted by Chris Matthews. It originally aired on now-defunct America's Talking and later CNBC. The current title was derived from a book Matthews wrote in 1988, Hardball: How Politics Is Played Told by One Who...
program. - Pete OlsonPete OlsonPeter Graham "Pete" Olson is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district includes much of southeastern Houston, as well as most of the city's southern suburbs such as Pearland, Sugar Land, and Pasadena.-Early life, education, and military...
's successful campaign to defeat incumbent Rep. Nick LampsonNick LampsonNicholas Valentino 'Nick' Lampson is an American politician from the state of Texas and was a Congressman representing the 22nd Congressional District of Texas. He was defeated by Pete Olson on November 4, 2008 in his re-election bid....
in Texas' 22nd CD by a 53% to 45% tally. This was one of five districts that Republicans took from the Democrats. - Mike CoffmanMike CoffmanMichael "Mike" Coffman is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009, and a former Secretary of State of Colorado. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education, and business career:...
's successful campaign to replace retiring incumbent Rep. Tom TancredoTom TancredoThomas Gerard "Tom" Tancredo is an American politician from Colorado, who represented the state's sixth congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1999 to 2009, as a Republican...
in Colorado's 6th CD by a 60% to 40% total. - Tom McClintockTom McClintockThomas Miller McClintock II is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. He is a former Assemblyman and state Senator...
's victory over Democrat Charlie Brown to win California's CD 4 by a 51% to 49% tally. The seat had been held by retiring Rep. John DoolittleJohn DoolittleJohn Taylor Doolittle , American politician, was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 2009, representing . In the 109th Congress, he held a leadership role as the Deputy Whip for the Republican party in the House...
. - Sen. Saxby ChamblissSaxby ChamblissClarence Saxby Chambliss, Jr. is the senior United States Senator from Georgia. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a U.S. Representative ....
's 58% to 42% victory over Democrat Jim Martin in the Georgia runoff election of December 2, 2008. Under Georgia law, if a candidate fails to top 50% of the vote, a runoff election is held between the two candidates that received the most votes. Chambliss garnered 49.8% of the vote to Martin's 46% in the November general election and thus a runoff was set. The Club had not endorsed Chambliss in the general election, but came to his aide for the runoff after citing his conservative voting record and the need to thwart a filibuster proof Democratic majority of 60 Senate seats.
Ten Club-supported candidates were defeated in the general election:
- Sen. John E. SununuJohn E. SununuJohn Edward Sununu is a former Republican United States Senator from New Hampshire, of Lebanese and Palestinian Christian ancestry. Sununu was the youngest member of the Senate for his entire six year term. He is the son of former New Hampshire Governor John H...
's (R-NH) was defeated by former New Hampshire Gov. Jean Shaheen in a rematch of the 2002 election by a 52% to 45% margin. - Former Congressman Bob SchafferBob SchafferRobert Warren "Bob" Schaffer was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from the State of Colorado in the 105th Congress and the two succeeding Congresses . In 2004, Schaffer lost in the primary election to be the Republican nominee for a U.S. Senate seat...
lost the open Colorado senate seat of Sen. Wayne AllardWayne AllardAlan Wayne Allard is a member of the Republican Party, and was a United States Senator from Colorado. He did not seek re-election in 2008.-Early life:...
to Democratic Rep. Mark UdallMark UdallMark Emery Udall is the senior United States Senator from Colorado and a member of the Democratic Party. From 1999 to 2009, Udall served in the United States House of Representatives, representing . He also served a term in the Colorado House of Representatives.Born in Tucson, Arizona, he is the...
by 52% to 43%. - Rep. Steve PearceSteve PearceStevan Edward "Steve" Pearce is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously held the seat from 2003 to 2009 and was an Assistant Minority Whip.-Early life, education and career:...
was defeated by Rep. Tom UdallTom UdallThomas Stewart "Tom" Udall is the junior United States Senator from New Mexico and a member of the Democratic Party. He had represented as a member of the United States House of Representatives since 1999. Udall was elected as the junior United States senator from New Mexico on November 4, 2008,...
61% to 39% for the open New Mexico senate seat being vacated by Sen. Pete DomeniciPete DomeniciPietro Vichi "Pete" Domenici is an American Republican politician, who served six terms as a United States Senator from New Mexico, from 1973 to 2009, the longest tenure in the state's history....
. - Andrew P. HarrisAndrew P. HarrisAndrew P. Harris is an American physician and politician who is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party and formerly served in the Senate of the Maryland General Assembly.-Early life, education and career:...
was narrowly defeated in Maryland CD 1 by Democrat Frank KratovilFrank KratovilFrank Michael Kratovil Jr., is the former U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He was defeated in his bid for reelection on November 2, 2010. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
by 160,914 (49%) to 159,998 (49%). The endorsement of Kratovil by Rep. Wayne GilchrestWayne GilchrestWayne Thomas Gilchrest is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives who represented . In 2008, the moderate Gilchrest was defeated in the Republican primary by State Senator Andy Harris....
, whom Harris defeated in the GOP primary, was seen as the deciding factor in the election. Kratovil thus became the first Democrat to represent this district since Gilchrest himself had begun his first term in 1991, and only the second Democrat since 1963. - Rep. Tim WalbergTim WalbergTimothy Lee "Tim" Walberg is the current U.S. Representative for , and was also the former Congressman for the district from 2007 to 2009.-Early life, education, and religious career:...
defeated in Michigan CD 7 by Mark SchauerMark SchauerMark Schauer is the former U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Democratic Party.He was previously a member of the Michigan Senate, where he served as the Minority Leader, and the Michigan House of Representatives....
49% to 47%. Former Rep. Joe SchwarzJoe SchwarzJohn J. H. "Joe" Schwarz, M.D. , an independent politician from Michigan, was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2004 as a moderate Republican...
, who was defeated by Walberg in the 2006 GOP primary, endorsed and campaigned for Schauer. Schwarz has indicated that he wanted to remain neutral if the election stayed local, but he endorsed Schauer because of The Club's continued involvement. - Rep. Bill SaliBill SaliWilliam Thomas "Bill" Sali served a single term in the United States House of Representatives, representing from 2007 to 2009. Sali previously served in the Idaho Legislature as a member of the House....
was defeated 51% to 49% by Walter Minnick in Idaho's conservative 1st CD. - Rep. Tom FeeneyTom FeeneyThomas Charles "Tom" Feeney III, usually known as Tom Feeney , is an American politician from the state of Florida. He represented . He was defeated in the 2008 election by Democrat Suzanne Kosmas.-Early life:...
's reelection loss for Florida CD 24. Feeney was defeated by Suzanne KosmasSuzanne KosmasSuzanne M. Kosmas is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. She is a member of the Democratic Party...
57% to 41% after he admitted to taking free golf trips to ScotlandScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
with disgraced lobbyist Jack AbramoffJack AbramoffJack Abramoff is an American former lobbyist and businessman. Convicted in 2006 of mail fraud and conspiracy, he was at the heart of an extensive corruption investigation that led to the conviction of White House officials J. Steven Griles and David Safavian, U.S. Representative Bob Ney, and nine...
. - Former State Rep. Dean AndalDean AndalDean F. Andal is a Republican public official and businessman from Stockton, California.-2008 Congressional run:Andal ran for Congress in 2008 in California's 11th district against incumbent Jerry McNerney....
was defeated for California's CD 11 by Rep. Jerry McNerneyJerry McNerneyGerald "Jerry" McNerney is an engineer, energy specialist, and the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
55% to 45%. - David SchweikertDavid SchweikertDavid Schweikert is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served two terms in the Arizona State House of Representatives , was chairman of the state Board of Equalization , and was the elected Maricopa County Treasurer . He ran for the U.S...
was defeated in Arizona's CD 5 by Rep. Harry MitchellHarry MitchellHarry E. Mitchell is a former U.S. Representative who represented from 2007 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career :...
53% to 44%. - Chris Hackett was defeated 56% to 44% in Pennsylvania's CD 10 by incumbent Chris CarneyChris CarneyChristopher P. "Chris" Carney is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2007 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party and was a prominent member of the conservative Blue Dog Coalition....
.
2008 Presidential election
During the 2008 Republican presidential primaries, the Club was critical of Mike HuckabeeMike Huckabee
Michael "Mike" Dale Huckabee is an American politician who served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He was a candidate in the 2008 United States Republican presidential primaries, finishing second in delegate count and third in both popular vote and number of states won . He won...
, using funds from backers of Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney
Willard Mitt Romney is an American businessman and politician. He was the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and is a candidate for the 2012 Republican Party presidential nomination.The son of George W...
to attack him as the "tax-increasing liberal governor of Arkansas". Huckabee, in turn, has referred to the Club for Growth as the "Club for Greed".
The Club has occasionally made statements both in support and opposition to various proposals by Sen. John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
. The Club never endorsed a presidential candidate, but did release statements praising Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin from time to time.
2009 special election
The Club endorsed in the special electionNew York's 23rd congressional district special election, 2009
The 2009 special election for New York's 23rd congressional district was held on November 3, 2009, to select the successor to Republican John M. McHugh...
in New York's 23rd congressional district
New York's 23rd congressional district
The 23rd Congressional District of New York is New York's northernmost congressional district for the United States House of Representatives. The district includes all or parts of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Oswego and St. Lawrence counties. It...
the Conservative Party of New York
Conservative Party of New York
The Conservative Party of New York State is an American political party active in the state of New York. It is not part of any nationwide party, nor is it affiliated with the American Conservative Party, which it predates by over 40 years....
candidate, Doug Hoffman
Doug Hoffman
Douglas L. "Doug" Hoffman is an American businessman, accountant and former congressional candidate. He was the Conservative Party candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2009 special election for New York's 23rd congressional district. On November 3, 2009, he was defeated by...
instead of Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava. With the Club pouring money into Hoffman's campaign, Scozzafava realized that she could not win and withdrew from the race the Sunday before the November 3 special election, endorsing the Democratic candidate Bill Owens. Owens won the election in a district where portions had not had a Democratic congressman since the 19th century.
2010 Congressional elections
The Club for Growth supported the winning candidates in 20 of the 26 general election races in which they endorsed and supported a candidate. It marked the most successful election day in CFG's history. Only two of their endorsed candidates lost in the primary. http://www.clubforgrowth.org/election2010/- On March 4, 2009, the Club endorsed former Oklahoma Republican state rep. Kevin Calvey for Oklahoma's 5th CD. Incumbent Rep. Mary FallinMary FallinMary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
has announced that she will be running for governor and the seat will be open. - On April 16, 2009, the Club for Growth's PAC endorsed Pat ToomeyPat ToomeyPatrick Joseph "Pat" Toomey, Sr. is the junior United States Senator for Pennsylvania and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Toomey served as a U.S. Representative for three terms, but did not seek a fourth in compliance with a pledge he had made while running for office in 1998...
in his Senate run against Arlen SpecterArlen SpecterArlen Specter is a former United States Senator from Pennsylvania. Specter is a Democrat, but was a Republican from 1965 until switching to the Democratic Party in 2009...
. - On April 28, 2009, Pennsylvania Senator Arlen SpecterArlen SpecterArlen Specter is a former United States Senator from Pennsylvania. Specter is a Democrat, but was a Republican from 1965 until switching to the Democratic Party in 2009...
specifically mentioned the Club for Growth's previous activity in supporting conservative primary opponents against Republicans such as Wayne GilchrestWayne GilchrestWayne Thomas Gilchrest is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives who represented . In 2008, the moderate Gilchrest was defeated in the Republican primary by State Senator Andy Harris....
, Joe SchwarzJoe SchwarzJohn J. H. "Joe" Schwarz, M.D. , an independent politician from Michigan, was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2004 as a moderate Republican...
, Lincoln ChafeeLincoln ChafeeLincoln Davenport Chafee is an American politician who has been the 74th Governor of Rhode Island since January 2011. Prior to his election as governor, Chafee served in the United States Senate as a Republican from 1999 until losing his Senate re-election bid in 2006 to Democrat Sheldon...
and Heather WilsonHeather WilsonHeather A. Wilson , is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives representing from 1998 to 2009...
, in his decision to run for re-election as a Democrat in 2010. - As of September 20, 2010 The Club for Growth PAC has endorsed 28 candidates in the 2010 election cycle. They are Senators Jim DeMintJim DeMintJames Warren "Jim" DeMint is the junior U.S. Senator from South Carolina, serving since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party and a leader in the Tea Party movement. He previously served as the U.S. Representative for from 1999 to 2005.-Early life and education:DeMint was born in...
(SC) and Tom CoburnTom CoburnThomas Allen "Tom" Coburn, M.D. , is an American politician, medical doctor, and Southern Baptist deacon. A member of the Republican Party, he currently serves as the junior U.S. Senator from Oklahoma. In the Senate, he is known as "Dr. No" for his tendency to place holds on and vote against bills...
(OK); Senate candidates Sharron AngleSharron AngleSharron Elaine Angle is an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Nevada Assembly from 1999 to 2007. She ran unsuccessfully as the 2010 Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in Nevada, garnering 45 percent of the vote...
(NV), Ken BuckKen BuckKenneth R. "Ken" Buck is the District Attorney for Weld County, Colorado, and was the unsuccessful Republican challenger to Michael Bennet in the 2010 U.S. Senate race in Colorado.-Early life and education:...
(CO) (endorsed after he won the primary), Mike Lee (UT) (endorsed after he won the primary, though the Club campaigned against Sen. Bennett before the state convention), Ron JohnsonRon Johnson (Wisconsin)Ronald Harold "Ron" Johnson is the junior United States Senator for Wisconsin, and a member of the Republican Party, and is associated with the Tea party movement....
(WI), Joe Miller (AK) (endorsed after the Alaska primary), Rand PaulRand PaulRandal Howard "Rand" Paul is the junior United States Senator for Kentucky. He is a member of the Republican Party. A member of the Tea Party movement, he describes himself as a "constitutional conservative" and a libertarian...
(KY) (endorsed after the Kentucky primary), Marco RubioMarco RubioMarco Antonio Rubio is the junior United States Senator from Florida . A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives ....
(FL) and Pat ToomeyPat ToomeyPatrick Joseph "Pat" Toomey, Sr. is the junior United States Senator for Pennsylvania and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Toomey served as a U.S. Representative for three terms, but did not seek a fourth in compliance with a pledge he had made while running for office in 1998...
(PA); Representative Tom GravesTom Graves (politician)John Thomas "Tom" Graves, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since a special election in 2010. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district is located in the northern part of the state, including much of the north Georgia mountains...
(GA 9) and House candidates Justin AmashJustin AmashJustin Amash, , is an American attorney, politician, and member of Congress. He has been the U.S. Representative for which encompasses the Grand Rapids area, since 2011....
(MI 3), Kevin Calvey (OK 5), Jeff Duncan (SC 3), Stephen Fincher (TN 8) (endorsed after primary), Tim Griffin (AR 2), David Harmer (CA 11) (endorsed after primary), Andy Harris (MD 1) (endorsed after primary), Nan Hayworth (NY 19) (endorsed after primary), Tim HuelskampTim HuelskampTimothy Alan Huelskamp is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party . He represented the 38th District in the Kansas Senate from 1997 until entering Congress.-Early life, education, and career:...
(KS 1), Jesse Kelly (AZ 8) (endorsed after primary), Mick Mulvaney (SC 5)(endorsed after primary), Mike PompeoMike PompeoMichael Richard Pompeo is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He has also served as a Kansas representative on the Republican National Committee.-Early life, education, and early career:...
(KS 4), Kevin Rothfus (PA 4) (endorsed after primary), Dave Schweikert (AZ 5) (endorsed after primary), Tim Scott (SC 1), Robin Smith (TN 3), and Todd Young (IN 9) (endorsed after primary). - On June 8, 2010 Angle won the Republican primary in what was seen by many as an upset and the Club for Growth poured over $600,000 into her campaign. On that same day Graves won a special election in Georgia to become the newest member of congress.
- On June 22, Duncan and Scott won their primary run-off elections in South Carolina.
- On July 27, Calvey placed second in the OK CD 5 primary with 32.5% to James Lankford's 33.6%. In the August 24 run-off Calvey lost to Lankford in a 65% to 35% landslide.
- In the primaries held on August 3, Huelskamp, Pompeo, and Amash all won their primary elections. This improved the Club for Growth's record to 7 wins in 7 races at that point for the 2010 election cycle.
- In the Tennessee primaries held on August 5, Club For Growth's winning streak was snapped as its candidate, Robin Smith, the former Chairwoman of the Tennessee Republican Party, who narrowly lost her bid to replace Rep. Zach WampZach WampZachary Paul "Zach" Wamp is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1995 to 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party...
in CD 3. She lost to Chuck Fleischmann by 1,409 vote or 29.7% to 28.1%. Tennessee has no run-offs.
2012 Congressional elections
The Club for Growth has endorsed the following six candidates thus far in the 2012 election cycle:- Rep. Jeff FlakeJeff FlakeJeffrey Lane "Jeff" Flake is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party. He was featured in the documentary series How Democracy Works Now: Twelve Stories....
for the open senate seat in Arizona being vacated by Republican Sen. Jon KylJon KylJon Llewellyn Kyl is the junior U.S. Senator from Arizona and the Senate Minority Whip, the second-highest position in the Republican Senate leadership. In 2010 he was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world for his persuasive role in the Senate.The son...
. - Rep. Steve KingSteve KingSteven Arnold "Steve" King is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district is located in the western part of the state and includes Sioux City and Council Bluffs....
's reelection campaign in Iowa. The state is losing a congressional district due to redistricting. - Ohio Treasurer Josh MandelJosh Mandel (politician)Josh Mandel is the current Ohio State Treasurer. Mandel previously served as a Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives. He has set up a U.S...
for a U.S. Senate seat currently held by incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod BrownSherrod BrownSherrod Campbell Brown is the senior United States Senator from Ohio and a member of the Democratic Party. Before his election to the U.S. Senate, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Ohio's 13th congressional district from 1993 to 2007...
. - Former Texas Solicitor General Ted CruzTed CruzRafael Edward "Ted" Cruz is the former Solicitor General of Texas, a position he held from 2003 to May 2008. Cruz was appointed by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. He was the first Hispanic Solicitor General in Texas, the youngest Solicitor General in America and the longest to hold the...
for an open U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Kay Bailey HutchisonKay Bailey HutchisonKathryn Ann Bailey Hutchison, known as Kay Bailey Hutchison , is the senior United States Senator from Texas.She is a member of the Republican Party. In 2001, she was named one of the thirty most powerful women in America by Ladies Home Journal. The first woman to represent Texas in the U.S....
. http://www.clubforgrowth.org/endorsedcandidates/ - Rep. Joe Walsh (Illinois politician)Joe Walsh (Illinois politician)William Joseph "Joe" Walsh is the Republican U.S. Representative for Chicago, Illinois's northwest suburban . He has served in Congress since January 2011 after defeating three-term incumbent Democrat Melissa Bean by a margin of 291 votes in a surprising upset. He received little Republican Party...
for IL-14, currently held by Congressman Randy HultgrenRandy HultgrenRandall Mark "Randy" Hultgren is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party.Hultgren previously represented the 48th district Senate seat in the Illinois General Assembly from 2007 - 2011...
.http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/pr/?postID=960 - Mark NeumannMark NeumannMark W. Neumann is a businessman and politician. He represented from 1995 to 1999. In 2010, Neumann lost a bid to become the Republican nominee for Governor of Wisconsin. Neumann is currently a candidate for U.S...
for the open Wisconsin senate seat of Sen. Kohl.
External links
- Club for Growth
- Club for Growth (527)
- Conservative ‘Club’ Wins With a Broader Battle Plan, by Marie Horrigan, CQPolitics, July 31, 2006
- Club for Growth Scores in GOP Primaries The Politico. June 4, 2008