Club for Growth has been one of the most active groups in GOP primaries in recent years, seeking to elect pro-growth candidates who stick to the principles of limited government, low taxes and economic freedom. In Alabama’s 6th Congressional District, Club for Growth thinks Dr. Chad Mathis, R-Indian Springs, is that kind of conservative.
Today, Club for Growth PAC endorsed Mathis’ candidacy in the hotly contested 6th District race, a decision that the Mathis campaign believes shows that he is “the sole candidate with the backbone to stand by the free market principles the Club for Growth espouses.”
Club for Growth President Chris Chocola said that his group’s members have jumped behind Mathis in a big way.
“The choice is clear: Dr. Chad Mathis is the constitutional conservative running in Alabama’s sixth Congressional district who will fight to repeal ObamaCare and stand up to the big-government liberals in Congress,” said Chocola. “Dr. Mathis will do everything he can to cut spending, oppose burdensome regulations, and he’s not afraid to stand on principle to do what’s right for America. Club members are enthusiastically behind Dr. Chad Mathis for Congress, and the Club for Growth PAC strongly endorses his candidacy.”
Mathis responded to the endorsement by pledging to support the Club’s pro-growth, limited government agenda.
“I am honored to be receiving the endorsement of a group that champions the economic freedoms this country needs to get back on a path to prosperity,” Mathis said. “The Club for Growth is the preeminent voice behind the principles and policies that favor the individual over government, and I will be a steadfast advocate of their agenda to bring a pro-growth, limited style government to the forefront.”
Club for Growth has taken out some moderate incumbents in years past, but tends to focus on open seats. AL-06 is open after 11-term congressman Spencer Bachus, R-Vestavia Hills, announced he would not seek another term. 7 Republicans are vying for the seat.
In the 2010 election cycle that swept Republicans into the majority in the U.S. House, the Club won 20 of the 26 general election races in which they endorsed. In 2012, they were 9 for 18. They have not been quite as active this year, but their endorsement is still one of the most sought after in Republican politics. Their candidate vetting process is often discussed as one of the most robust of the top-tier conservative groups who engage in GOP primaries.
Every year since 2005, the Club has produced a “congressional scorecard” that rates each sitting congressman on a scale of 0 to 100. Congressmen who receive a score of 90 or above receive the Club’s coveted “Defender of Economic Freedom” award. The New York Times once noted that the scorecard is “set upon by Republicans like the Oscar nominations list by Hollywood, with everyone dying to know who ranks where, especially in election years.”
The Republican primary in Alabama’s 6th Congressional District is set for June 3, 2014.
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