ACU Political Action Committee :: Endorsements

Crawford won the 2010 election for Arkansas’ First Congressional District.

In 2006, Rick was tapped by former Republican Congressman and Undersecretary of Homeland Security Asa Hutchison to help lead his efforts for agriculture and agriculture policy in his campaign for Arkansas Governor.  Rick worked with Asa on various ag-related aspects of his campaign to assist in developing pro-producer policies that would help farmer and ranchers minimize risk and maximize profits through state administered programs.

Rick is a broadcast council member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting.  In 2006 he received a NAFB Newscast Award for his work as a farm broadcaster, and was honored again in 2008 by the NAFB for his ongoing coverage of rice and cotton production issues in the Mid-South.  Rick is also a member of the 4-H Foundation Board of Arkansas.  Rick currently serves as first vice-chairman of the Craighead County GOP Committee.

Tim Griffin

Griffin won the 2010 election for Arkansas’ Second Congressional District.

Currently serving in his 13th year as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, Judge Advocate’s General, Tim Griffin is also an attorney and small business owner.  In 2005, Griffin served as the Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director, Office of Political Affairs in the White House.  In the past, Griffin has served as Senior Investigative Counsel to the U.S. House of Representative’s Government Reform Committee and was responsible for investigating waste, fraud, and abuse within the federal government.  Griffin has also served the Republican National Committee in both the 2000 and 2004 elections as the Deputy Research Director and Research Director and Deputy Communications Director, respectively.

Cory Gardner won the 2010 election for Colorado’s Fourth Congressional District.

While representing Colorado’s 63rd District, Cory has made economic development, healthcare, and education priorities. In 2007, he created the Colorado Clean Energy Authority, which has helped to bring millions of dollars in development to Colorado.  He has also worked to increase community college funding, bring state-of-the-art telemedicine to rural communities, and protect homeowners facing foreclosure.

Representative Gardner is a leading conservative in the state House, a strong voice for renewable energy and Colorado’s clean-burning natural gas. He has been a constant advocate for limited government and common-sense principles. Cory believes strongly that reducing taxes on individuals and businesses alike is the best way to grow the economy and provide jobs, especially in times of recession.

Steve Southerland won the 2010 election for Florida’s Second Congressional District.

As co-owner and president of Southerland Family Funeral Homes and a founding partner in two other businesses, Steve helps provide jobs for dozens of local families. He knows all too well the difficulties that hard-working Floridians face while trying to make ends meet in this tumultuous economy. And he’s well aware of the disastrous effects that excessive taxes and government waste can have on small businesses.  In an era where Washington politicians are forcing ordinary citizens to prop up failing companies and subsidize Wall Street bonuses, Steve is fighting to bring some much needed sensibility and fiscal restraint to Washington.

Daniel Webster won the 2010 election for Florida’s Eighth Congressional District.

From his first day in leadership, Webster worked to reform the way the Legislature did business, and his sweeping conservative reforms earned him widespread praise from the people of Florida. As Speaker of the House, Webster required each proposed law to meet specific criteria that would determine its effectiveness in advancing conservative principles.

Daniel Webster was elected to the Florida Senate in 1998 and served as Majority Leader his final three years. Being known as a man of his word, Webster continued to gain respect and acclaim on both sides of the aisle for his solid principles and trusted leadership.

Sandy Adams won the 2010 election for Florida’s 24th District.

During her eight years in the Florida House of Representatives, Sandy Adams has been a champion on the most pressing issues facing us.  She has led the fight to expand of the use of E-Verify to end state agencies using illegal workers and against driver’s licenses and in-state tuition for those not in the country legally.

She has taken a hard line against government spending and new taxes, protected Second Amendment rights, stood up for the sanctity of life and increased penalties for violent criminals.

David Rivera won the 2010 election for Florida’s 25th Congressional District.

Prior to his work with Ambassador Valladares, Representative Rivera served as a writer and researcher with the Washington D.C. offices of the Cuban American National Foundation (CANF). While with CANF, Representative Rivera researched and wrote on such issues as human rights, terrorism, political-economy, Soviet-Cuban relations, and international trade. He came to the CANF after serving as a legislative assistant to United States Senator Connie Mack, Republican from Florida, and as Political Director for Miami-Dade County, Florida, during Senator Mack’s successful 1988 campaign. Previously, Representative Rivera was South Florida Political Director for Jack Kemp’s 1988 presidential campaign. In 1996 he served as the Dole-Kemp campaign manager for the southern region of Florida.

Nathan Deal won the 2010 election for Governor in Georgia.

Nathan Deal’s hard work and consistent dedication to conservative principles have earned him the loyal support of grassroots Republicans and the respect of party leaders.

In Congress, Nathan fought to cut government spending through earmark reform and cost-saving Medicaid reforms. And he’s worked to strengthen our immigration policy by authoring legislation to end automatic birthright citizenship and by successfully fighting to require proof of citizenship before receiving state or federal health care benefits.

Tom Graves won the 2010 election for Georgia’s Ninth Congressional District.

Tom uses our conservative North Georgia values as a guide in his decision making and has been recognized  as a leader who is not afraid to stand up to the status quo and fight for less government and more personal freedom.

Before his recent election to Congress, Tom served in the Georgia General Assembly for 7 1/2 years. He served on the Transportation, Ways and Means and Health and Human Services committees and was Vice Chairman of the Motor Vehicles committee. He chaired numerous subcommittees including State Highways, Tax Reform and General Health and served in several leadership positions including Senior Deputy Whip.

Randy Hultgren

Hultgren won the 2010 election for 14th congressional district of Illinois.

A Conservative Republican, Randy Hultgren, is currently serving Illinois’ 48th district in the Illinois State Senate.  During his time in office, Hultgren has been a strong advocate for lower taxes, eliminating government waste, reducing health care costs, improving education and protecting Illinois families.  Prior to serving Illinois in the State Senate, Hultgren represented the 95th district in the State House of Representatives.

Rokita won the 2010 election for Indiana’s Fourth Congressional District.

Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita is a natural leader who for seven years has run a responsive and reform-orientated state office that has contributed to real improvements in the lives of many Hoosiers.

He is a committed pro-life conservative, an ardent supporter of the Second Amendment and a fiscal hawk with a proven record of accomplishment as Secretary of State. He runs his office on the same general fund dollars (unadjusted for inflation) that Evan Bayh did in 1987, but with improved service to Hoosiers.

Lynn Jenkins’ won the 2010 election for Kansas’ Second Congressional District.

Prior to representing Kansas’ second district in the U.S. House of Representatives, Lynn Jenkins was Kansas State Treasurer, and a member of both the Kansas State Senate and the Kansas House of Representatives.  In her tenure as a U.S. Representative, Jenkins has spoke out against pork-barrel projects and has criticized Democrats as the tax and spend party. She is currently a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and opposes the financial industry overhaul bill.

Rand Paul won the 2010 election for Kentucky Senate.

In 1993, Dr. Rand Paul founded the Kentucky Taxpayers United (KTU) in an effort to better inform all Kentuckians on how their elected officials were voting on key spending and taxation issues.   KTU is a non-partisan citizens watchdog group dedicated to rating  the state legislature’s tax  honesty.   Rand’s work with KTU  has helped to  promote the Americans for Tax Reform pledge, which commits legislators to keeping their promises regarding income tax increases.

Rand is a devoted  husband and father.  He regularly volunteers to coach teams for each of his three sons in Little League baseball, soccer, and basketball.  Rand and Kelley have been members of The Presbyterian Church since 1993, where Kelley currently serves as a Deacon.   Rand Paul is a  hard-working, dedicated physician, not a career politician.  His entrance into politics is indicative of his life’s work:  a desire to diagnose problems and provide practical solutions.

David Vitter won the 2010 election for Louisiana Senate.

David made history in 2004 as the first Republican ever elected to the U.S. Senate by the people of Louisiana, and the first to win an open Louisiana U.S. Senate or gubernatorial position without a runoff.

In the Senate he’s been a leading advocate for fighting to protect taxpayers as the Obama Administration proposes more and more runaway government spending.

Jeff Landry won the 2010 election for Louisiana’s Third District.

Jeff Landry created jobs as a small business owner, served our nation in uniform and is a conservative leader who cares deeply about the future of Louisiana and our nation.

Jeff co-founded a small business which supported the oil and gas industry for many years and now, as a Loyola Law graduate, spends his days helping job creators in south Louisiana.

As a former aide in the State Senate, Jeff learned firsthand that many solutions to our problems can be found from listening to the voices of the people, not just from listening to the debate of politicians.

John Fleming won the 2010 election for Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District.

John Fleming, a man of conviction, drive and the desire to uphold America’s constitution is serving in Washington with a single purpose: to represent the people as a servant leader.

John has been married to his wife Cindy for 32 years and they have four adult children and two grandchildren. His background as a Medical Officer in the United States Navy laid a path for his future small business medical practice. His accomplished background as a family physician awarded him the Louisiana Family Doctor of the Year in 2007.

Conservative candidate Dan Benishek won the 2010 election for Michigan’s First District.

Dan was born in Iron River, Michigan. His mother was of Polish descent and his father of Bohemian descent. His dad worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps and then in the iron mines of Iron County. He died in a mining accident in 1957 and his mother, with the help of family, raised him and his brother.

He graduated from West Iron County High School in 1970. He earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of Michigan in 1974 and graduated from Wayne State Medical School in 1978. He’s served as a general surgeon in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula since 1983.

Nunnele won the 2010 election for Mississippi’s First Congressional District.

Alan Nunnelee represents Lee and Pontotoc counties in the Mississippi State Senate. He has done so since he was elected to replace Senator Roger Wicker in 1994.

He is Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations and is a leader on several national committees addressing public health issues.

Joe Heck won the 2010 election for Nevada’s Third Congressional District.

Born in New York and raised in Pennsylvania, Joe moved to Southern Nevada in 1992. A 1984 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Health Education, he received his Doctor of Osteopathy from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1988, and completed a residency in Emergency Medicine at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in 1992. In 1993 he received Board Certification in Emergency Medicine and in 2000 was issued a Certificate of Added Qualification in Emergency Medical Services.

Althshuler is currently in the midst of a recount for New York’s First District.

Randy Althshuler is a Conservative dedicated to rebuilding our nation’s economy and creating jobs for Americans.  As the co-founder of two organizations, CloudBlue and OfficeTiger, Althshuler believes he has the real world experience to face the new challenges in Washington.  Althshuler is currently a member of the New York Chamber of Commerce and an active member of New Yorkers for Growth.

Grimm won the 2010 election for New York’s 13th Congressional District.

After attaining a solid education in accounting and law, serving in combat with the U.S. Marines, a successful career in the FBI and fully diversifying his experience as a small businessman and entrepreneur, Michael Grimm is looking towards further service to his country and our community by running for Congress in New York’s 13th District.

Rick Berg won the 2010 election for North Dakota’s At Large Congressional Seat.

During Representative Berg’s tenure in public service he worked closely with numerous North Dakota business leaders, legislators and governors to create an economy that is the envy of the nation. Since the time Berg served as Majority Leader, North Dakota’s economy has grown substantially and new businesses, both large and small, have created tens of thousands of jobs. In addition to creating numerous jobs, the State has balanced its budget, cut taxes and invested more in improving health care and education, all while keeping over $700 million in reserve funds.

Portman won the 2010 election for Ohio Senate.

In 1993, Rob was elected to Congress, where he represented the diverse seven county Second District.  He was proud to serve the Second District for twelve years, and in seven elections, he never received less than seventy percent of the vote.  During his time representing the Second District, Rob earned a reputation as a serious leader who focused on results.  Rob was actively involved in the successful welfare reform efforts as a member of the committee that wrote the legislation, and he was a strong supporter of the balanced budget that passed in 1997.

Rob gained the respect of both Republican and Democratic colleagues through his successful bipartisan legislative initiatives, including measures he authored to increase retirement savings, reform the IRS and add over fifty new taxpayer rights, curb unfunded mandates, reduce taxes, and expand drug prevention and land conservation efforts.

Chabot won the 2010 election for Ohio’s Fifth District.

Prior to his fourteen years representing Ohio’s first district in Congress, Steve Chabot has served on Cincinnati City Council and the Hamilton County Commission.  In January of 2009, Chabot announced that he would reclaim his Congressional seat against Democratic opponent, Steve Driehaus who is currently representing the district.  Chabot has upheld a conservative voting record by voting to eliminate wasteful spending and reduce the tax burden on Americans.  He has been named one of the most pro-taxpayer members of Congress by numerous nonpartisan tax-payer advocacy groups.

Lankford won the 2010 election for Oklahoma’s Fifth Congressional District.

James believes the Constitution matters. It is the foundation of our laws and the fence around our government.  The United States became the greatest and strongest nation in the world because of God’s blessing, our constitutionally protected freedoms, and American innovation.

James enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, sport shooting, and reading.

Toomey won the 2010 election for Pennsylvania Senate.

In 1997, after nearly 10 years as a small business owner, Pat grew weary of the huge tax burdens imposed on Pennsylvania’s small businesses. So he acted. Pat ran and won a seat representing Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District in Washington for three consecutive terms.

In office, Pat was one of Congress’s leading advocates for limited government and personal freedom. He led efforts to expand tax cuts and reduce wasteful spending. And because of his exemplary leadership on the economic front, he received top scores from national fiscal watchdog groups such as Citizens Against Government Waste, Americans for Tax Reform, the National Taxpayers Union, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Noem won the 2010 election for South Dakota’s At Large Congressional Seat.

Kristi Noem, Republican, was elected to the District 6 House of Representatives in the fall of 2006. Kristi currently serves as the Assistant Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, to which she was elected at the beginning of her second term in 2008.

Kristi, 38, lives with her husband, Bryon, and three children, Kassidy, Kennedy, and Booker, on a ranch near Castlewood, where the family raises Angus cattle and also shows Quarter Horses. Kristi actively farmed with her family for 17 years, owned and operated a hunting operation, and helped manage the family restaurant.

Hensarling won the 2010 election for Texas’ Fifth District.

Jeb Hensarling has represented the fifth district of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2003 and was labeled as the country’s, “budget nanny,” in a 2005 article in National Review.  During his time in the House, Hensarling has maintained a Conservative voting record by opposing funding for stem cell research, same-sex marriage and hate crimes legislation.  Most recently, Hensarling has been noted for questioning President Obama’s position on the budget.  In the past, the ACU has rated Hensarling as one of the highest ranking Conservatives in Congress.

Rigell won the 2010 election for Virginia’s Second District.

Scott is a lifelong conservative Republican, community leader and business owner. The founder and Chairman of Freedom Automotive in Virginia Beach, Scott and his wife Teri own automobile dealerships in Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Chesapeake which employ more than 240 people. He is a past president of the Hampton Roads Automobile Dealers Association.

Ron Johnson won the 2010 election for Wisconsin Senate. 

In 1979, Ron and Jane moved to Wisconsin, where Ron started a business called PACUR with his brother-in-law. Ron was the accountant and a machine operator, and for most of the company’s first year, Ron traded 12 hour shifts with his brother-in-law until they could train other operators.

With the help and dedication of the fine people Ron had the privilege of working with, PACUR has grown from a company supplying a single customer to the largest producer in the world of a specialty plastic used in medical device packaging and high tech printing applications. PACUR sells its products all around the world, with one of its largest export markets being China. PACUR is still proud to say: “We don’t export jobs, we export plastic.”

Sean Duffy won the 2010 election for Wisconsin’s Seventh Congressional District. 

Sean P. Duffy recently concluded ten years of service to the people of Ashland County, Wisconsin — first as Special Prosecutor, then District Attorney. Sean was recognized as an aggressive prosecutor with a better than 90% trial success rate. He is most proud of his dedication to prosecuting child sex crimes. Working together with law enforcement, Sean helped make Ashland County one of the first counties in the state to investigate and prosecute child internet sex crimes.