Indiana credit unions back winners in primaries
May 7, 2008

Congressman Dan Burton (R-5) and Indiana League President John McKenzie

Congressman Andre Carson (D-7)

INDIANAPOLIS--Two incumbent Congressmen won elections in the Indiana Primary yesterday with support from the Indiana League and Hoosier credit unions.

In Indiana’s 5th Congressional District Republican Primary, Congressman Dan Burton won by 52% to 45%. With the Indianapolis television and radio media covering his remarks live, he thanked credit unions within the first few sentences of his victory speech. League President John McKenzie attended the Burton Campaign’s election night gathering and said, “Credit unions had an opportunity to help his campaign in an unusual year when his re-election was not assured, so it was great to be able to help such a strong credit union supporter.” The League held a luncheon with Rep. Burton in March, where the Burton Campaign was able to raise significant campaign funds from representatives of credit unions and the League. Rep. Burton was named Outstanding Hoosier Legislator at the League Convention in Sept. 2007—the third time he had received the honor since 1991. Since being elected to his first term in Congress in 1982, Rep. Burton has been a consistent leader in supporting credit unions. He is one of only three current members of Congress who was an original co-sponsor of the Credit Union Membership Access Act (H.R. 1151) in 1997 and is now an original co-sponsor of the Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act (CURIA, H.R. 1537).

In Indiana’s 7th Congressional District Democratic Primary, Congressman Andre Carson won a tough four-way race. Rep. Carson holds a seat on the House Financial Services Committee which was previously held by the late Julia Carson, his grandmother. Indiana credit unions supported Andre Carson before the special election he won in March, and again in the primary. “When we met with him in February prior to the special election, and since he began serving in Congress these past few months, Rep. Carson has expressed support for credit unions and has responded very positively to our views during legislative developments,” said McKenzie. “We look forward to building further on our good relationship with him.”

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