Arlington, VA – Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP Action) is announcing its first round of support for candidates who have consistently stood strong for their values and principles and put people over politics. Those candidates are Senator Mike Lee and Representatives Nancy Mace, Chip Roy, Peter Meijer, Ashley Hinson, and Victoria Spartz.

Each of these individuals have distinguished themselves as leaders capable of bridging partisan divides to bring people together. While no one will agree on every issue, their track records of championing policies that improve lives by empowering people is exactly the approach needed to take on our country’s greatest challenges.

AFP Action Director Nathan Nascimento issued the following statement:

 

“Building winning policy coalitions requires putting people over politics. The candidates we are endorsing today aren’t just advocates for principled policy, they are leaders who can cut through the divisive nature of our politics to bring people together to get things done. We are excited to throw the full weight of AFP Action’s grassroots community behind these policymakers so they can continue working for lasting change that empowers all people from the bottom-up.”

What We Support

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT): For the past decade, Senator Mike Lee has consistently fought for better health care and more economic opportunity for Utahns—and all Americans. His ability to work with colleagues to find solutions to fix our criminal justice system and protect free expression are key examples of his leadership in Washington.

Rep. Ashley Hinson (IA-01): During her time in the state legislature and in Congress, Representative Ashley Hinson has shown her ability to work across the aisle to find solutions for the people of her district—and all Americans. Rep. Ashley Hinson is a strong advocate for greater access to better quality health care at a price Iowans can afford and for ensuring Iowa families keep more of their hard-earned paychecks.

Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-01): At the Citadel, in Columbia, and in Washington, Representative Nancy Mace is always looking to break down barriers. Rep. Mace has continuously advocated for health care that works for South Carolina –and all American—families, economic opportunity, and for an environment that puts People over Politics.

Rep. Peter Meijer (MI-03): Freshman Representative Peter Meijer has wasted no time fighting for principled policy reforms in Washington. As a veteran himself, he has emerged as a staunch advocate for our nation’s veteran community. As a business owner, Rep. Meijer has also fought for solutions for Michigan’s families and small business owners to keep more of what they earn.

Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21): An outspoken advocate always willing to stand behind principle, Representative Chip Roy leads the way forward in Washington. His dedication to ensuring more personal, more affordable health care for American families and advocacy for taxpayers has helped define his tenure in office.

Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN-05): Embodying the American dream, Representative Victoria Spartz has yet again earned the support of AFP Action for her dedication to championing people over politics and leading the way toward better, more affordable health care and more economic opportunity for all Americans.

Background:

Following its unprecedented engagement in the 2020 election cycle, AFP Action and AFP collectively supported nearly 275 candidates running for office federally, statewide, and for 29 state legislatures. The unmatched commitment of their grassroots activists resulted in 59.1 million voter contacts and  a dual win rate of 78 percent. Those candidates who receive support can expect even greater energy and engagement for their election in 2022.

For further information or to set up an interview, reach Nicole Tardif at NTardif@afpaction.com or 571-329-0161.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP Action) today announced its support for U.S. Representative Victoria Spartz as she seeks re-election to Indiana’s 5^th congressional district. Rep. Spartz earned AFP Action’s endorsement through her continued work to support solutions to the greatest challenges Hoosiers face. In her tenure in the Indiana Senate and in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Spartz has shown a dedication to championing people over politics and leading the way toward economic opportunity for all Americans.

The grassroots-focused group will mobilize its activists in support of Rep. Spartz through substantive, policy focused voter outreach, alongside an arsenal of other highly targeted tactics. Last cycle, AFP Action supported Spartz’s initial bid for Congress by contacting 330,000 Hoosiers through a variety of tactics, including phone calls and door knocking.

AFP Action Senior Advisor Josh Webb issued the following statement:

“Representative Victoria Spartz is an embodiment of the American dream and that is a central theme in her representation of Hoosiers in Washington. During her time in both the U.S. and Indiana capitals, Rep. Spartz has fought for better, more affordable health care and for families’ pocketbooks. We are proud to throw our full support behind Rep. Victoria Spartz and look forward to hitting the ground running to spread the word of her legislative leadership.”

Background:

In June of 2019, AFP Action Senior Advisor Emily Seidel released a memo outlining the organization’s new approach to public policy and political engagement. The memo can be viewed here.

Paid for by Americans for Prosperity Action. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. afpaction.com.

Americans for Prosperity Action endorsed two policy champions for Congress in early May, state Representatives Ashley Hinson of Iowa and Nancy Mace of South Carolina.

Now, through the efforts of activists, Congress will welcome these two new principled lawmakers committed to expanding opportunity for all Americans.

“On issue after issue, Rep. Ashley Hinson has been willing to work with anyone to find solutions that benefit all Iowans,” wrote Senior Advisor Drew Klein in his endorsement op-ed. “And then she has championed those solutions.”

Mace was similarly lauded as a candidate who would be a policy champion from her seat in Congress.

“Nancy Mace has been a barrier breaker since she was the first female graduate from the Citadel to her time in the state legislature,” Senior Advisor Andrew Yates wrote in his endorsement of the candidate.

Both Hinson and Mace won their races to represent the 1st Districts of their states. But it wasn’t an easy fight. The two candidates were up against incumbents, who had two years to build name recognition among voters for these high profile races.

Hinson and Mace would have to fight uphill battles to talk to voters about their policies and establish names for themselves in their districts. They would also have to convince voters that they were better fit for the job.

The polls predicted incumbent Abby Finkenauer would triumph over Hinson with a comfortable lead.

Mace was also projected to lose to incumbent Joe Cunningham.

Nevertheless, both challengers defeated their incumbent opponents by just a few thousand votes — in elections in which nearly 1 million people voted.

What made the difference? In part, Americans for Prosperity Action’s dedication to sending policy champions to Congress, backed by the passion of countless staff and activists.

Activists in Iowa educated undecided voters on key policy positions for which Hinson stands, such as lowering taxes on hardworking Americans, cutting unnecessary red tape on job creators, and reducing barriers that keep people from working in their chosen professions.

South Carolina volunteers spoke to prospective voters about Mace’s support for criminal justice reform and reducing burdensome red tape that prevents people from accessing quality, affordable health care.

These activists made hundreds of thousands of phone calls, knocked on tens of thousands of doors, and sent over 100,000 texts.

In addition to these outreach efforts, Americans for Prosperity Action supported the candidates through digital advertisements and direct mail. Now, on January 3, both Hinson and Mace will join their colleagues in the 117th Congress.

Both have demonstrated from their time as state lawmakers that they have what it takes to bring better policy to Washington.

In June 2019, the Americans for Prosperity Action team kicked off its initial support of Sen. Thom Tillis’ reelection. Since that point, the entire world and political landscape has changed dramatically.

But the dedication and hard work of AFP Action staff and activists remained constant.

AFP Action consistently beat the drum on phones, doors, and digital advertisements starting in January.

Driven by the energy of its volunteers, AFP Action returned to the doors in June to a nearly empty field.

In a state seeing money up and down the ballot by both major political parties and countless outside groups, AFP Action was the largest player in the grassroots game.

And that’s what made the difference.

Culminating in more than 6 million voter contacts across the Tar Heel State through phones and doors, Sen. Tillis led by more than 94,000 votes.

AFP Action’s highly targeted and consistent drum beat on doors in South Charlotte and the Triangle resulted in Sen. Tillis outpacing the rest of the ticket in the areas that decided the election.

Churning up turnout in Forsyth and Guilford counties helped provide a cushion for Tillis’s lead.

Now, Sen. Tillis is headed back to Washington to champion principled policy solutions for North Carolina families.

Joining him in their returns to Washington, AFP Action policy champions Rep. Ted Budd (NC-13) and Rep. Dan Bishop (NC-09) were both successfully reelected.

Heading to Raleigh, AFP Action’s efforts helped eight state legislative candidates — first-time candidates and seasoned legislators — win their tight races.

AFP Action was proud to support the following newly elected and reelected candidates:

• Warren Daniel (SD-46)
• Michael Lee (SD-09)
• Danny Britt, Jr. (SD-13)
• Tom McInnis (SD-25)
• Ed Goodwin (HD-01)
• Jon Hardister (HD-59)
• John Szoka (HD-45)
• John Bradford (HD-98)

Layering citizen-to-citizen contact, AFP Action supported each of these principled candidates through digital advertisements and direct mail.

But, ultimately, what stood apart was substantive, policy focused conversations with the key decision-makers in these races. Face-to-face and on the phone, undecided voters had the opportunity to talk about the true impacts legislators would have on their lives.

AFP Action thanks the hard work of its activists across North Carolina and congratulates these newly elected and reelected policy champions.