The June 5 primaries include a race in California that couldeventually send a former credit union employee to Capitol Hill.

Democrat Pete Aguilar, former Director of Governmental Relations for the$715 million Arrowhead Credit Union, is running for the House ofRepresentatives in the 31^st District, SouthernCalifornia's Inland Empire. Aguilar is the leading Democrat in theprimary, and faces his stiffest competition from current RepublicanRepresentative GaryMiller, who chose not to run in his redrawn home district inOrange County against incumbent Ed Royce (R). Aguilar was appointedto the Redlands, Calif. city council in 2006 during his Arrowheadtenure.

“Not only is he a former credit union employee, but he'ssomebody who understands the importance of a strong politicalpresence for credit unions. He could easily be a future super starfor credit unions in Washington,” said Bob Arnould, senior vice president of governmental affairs atthe California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues.

California credit unions have been supporting Aguilar, Arnouldsaid, making individual donations and contributing to the League'sSuper PAC, Restore Community. Local supporters in the district havealso been going door to door campaigning for him.

“As far as I know, this would be the first true credit unionperson elected to Congress, so obviously we see this as a race ofnational potential for credit unions,” Arnould said.

The California league has also been active in fundraisingefforts for Democratic incumbent Congressman Brad Sherman, whofaces a tough race against fellow Democratic Representative HowardBerman. Sherman and Berman will likely both survive the primary andface each other in November thanks to California's new “top-twoprimary” rules, in which the two highest vote-getters will advanceto the general election, regardless of party. Arnould said betweenthe PAC and individual donations, the league has raisedapproximately $90,000 for Sherman's campaign.

“Many donations were individual dollars because he does havestrong relationships with credit union employees. He's been veryvisible,” Arnould said.

Sherman introduced the Capital Access for Small Businesses andJobs Act, H.R. 3993, in February. He has also been supportive of effortsto increase the member business lending cap, signing on as aco-sponsor of H.R. 1418, and has pledged to help preserve credit unions' taxexempt status.

Key primaries will take place June 5 in California, New Mexico,New Jersey, Montana and South Dakota. In New Mexico, CUNA isendorsing Democratic Representative Martin Heinrich, running for an open Senate seat left by theretiring Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), who has served in the Senatefor nearly 30 years.

Heinrich is a co-sponsor of H.R. 1418, and even mentioned creditunion member business lending in a debate last weekend, said CUNAVice President of Political Affairs Trey Hawkins.