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June 5, 2014 – Tuesday's congressional primaries delivered good outcomes for credit union friends in Congress, Katie Marisic, NAFCU's vice president of political affairs, said.

Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., a member of the House Financial Services Committee, won in her party primary contest against Birmingham attorney Tamara Harris Johnson. With no Republican opponent, Sewell is poised for a fourth House term.

Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., a former credit union board member, took 47 percent of the vote in a crowded primary for California's seventh district. This fall, he will compete for that seat against Republican and former Rep. Doug Ose.

By press time, reports had Democrat Pete Aguilar leading against Republican Lesli Gooch for the second general election spot for California's 31st district seat, with fewer than 400 votes separating them as they try to join Republican Paul Chabot in the general election.

Katie Marisic

"In California, the top two in the primary, regardless of party affiliation, go on to run in the November election," Marisic said. "This was a large field that had seven candidates, including former Congressman Joe Baca, fighting for the chance to replace Republican Gary Miller."

Miller is chief sponsor of H.R. 2572, a bill that reflects several elements of NAFCU's five-point plan for credit union regulatory relief. Marisic said both Aguilar and Gooch are supportive of credit unions. Primary results are not expected to be finalized for a few days.

In Iowa, Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley faced no competition in the party primary for the Senate seat currently held by Democrat Sen. Tom Harkin, who is also retiring this year. In the fall, Braley will be up against state Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican who won Tuesday's party primary against four opponents.