A statement from Ryan McKee, Senior Advisor to Americans for Prosperity Action in Alaska, regarding recent messaging from Defend Alaska Elections:

“Principled disagreement expressed through civil discourse is one thing. Personal attacks against those who differ with us is quite another.

Recently, we learned that Defend Alaska Elections chose to go beyond the policy arguments against Alaska’s Initiative 2, by personally attacking one of the initiative’s supporters.  We called on Defend Alaska Elections to pull down the attack, which they quickly did.

While we disagree with those who support some of the particular election reforms in this initiative, we also defend their right to speak and make their case.  Personal attacks have no place in policy debates. We take seriously the responsibility to speak out against tactics like these that pit people against each other.  AFPA is committed to engaging in the political process in a civil and respectful way and we encourage others to do the same.

Moving forward, we hope that the debate around Initiative 2 will stay focused on advancing the understanding of Alaskans about the issues at hand.  That is what best serves the voters who have a choice to make on November 3.  It is also the level of civility that Americans deserve.”

 

Background

Americans for Prosperity Action donated $45,000 to Defend Alaska Elections, joining a diverse group of organizations from across the political spectrum who disagreed with some of the many policies bundled in the initiative.

Prior to opposing it, we expressed our concern directly to the organizations who supported it, suggesting that they unbundle the various reforms so that Alaskans could evaluate and decide on each of the very different proposals, which range from Ranked Choice Voting – a novel and largely experimental attempt to reduce extreme partisanship – to donor disclosure requirements that have been shown to chill voter participation and intimidate everyday Americans from becoming involved in the political process.  The former is an issue on which AFPA has not taken a position, the latter has a long history of opposition from a wide diversity of groups beginning with a Supreme Court ruling in favor of the NAACP, which first opposed a similar law more than 50 years ago.

AFPA opposes Initiative 2 because we believe that elements of it will further disenfranchise those who don’t have the time or resources to defend themselves against the vitriol that has come to characterize American politics. Ironically, this episode is an unfortunate proof point in that argument.

ARLINGTON, VA—Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP Action) today announced a substantial seven-figure digital ad and connected TV investment in key Congressional races across the country. These ads will run on a number of platforms targeting swing voters ahead of November’s elections and is the latest addition to AFP Action’s layered approach to supporting candidates that will champion the American dream. To date, the grassroots group has reached over 10 million voters through phone-banking and door-knocking.

The media blitz will launch in support of Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21), Wesley Hunt (TX-07), Genevieve Collins (TX-32), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Ashley Hinson (IA-01), Nick Freitas (VA-07), Rep. Scott Perry (PA-10), Victoria Spartz (IN-05), Scott Franklin (FL-15), Dan Rodimer (NV-03), Rep. Steve Chabot (OH-01), Matt Rosendale (MT-AL), and Jake LaTurner (KS-02.) Voters in these competitive districts have also begun to see direct-mail in support of these candidates.

See Video for Rep. Chip Roy in TX-07 Here. 

AFP Action Senior Advisor Tim Phillips issued the following statement:

“We’re at a pivotal point in our nation’s history and November’s elections will set the course for our future. Voters across the country are asking how to get their lives back on track, how to ensure their loved ones get the care they need, and how to rebuild our economy—stronger than before.

“This November, we must elect leaders to Congress that will champion our economic recovery, ensure hardworking Americans keep more of what they earn, and protect families’ health care so they can keep their trusted doctors. AFP Action is proud to support candidates that will tackle these priorities and help positively shape the future of our country for generations to come.”

Read the full script below:

We know we’ll beat COVID

But what will the new normal be?

What will it cost our family?

Can we afford rising costs?

Higher taxes?

Massive health care changes?

Wendy Davis means higher taxes

Massive layoffs

And millions could lose their private health care

Chip Roy is fighting for your family

Lower taxes

More jobs

And protecting your family’s private health care

What will you decide?

For further information or to set up an interview, reach Nicole Tardif at NTardifNTardif@afpaction.com. 

ARLINGTON, VA—Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP Action) today announced its support for several candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives. These candidates, if elected and re-elected, will champion policy reforms that help our economy rebuild and come back stronger than before, among tackling other pivotal challenges. AFP Action supports candidates that show active leadership in building broad-based coalitions and driving principled reforms.

AFP Action is endorsing five candidates that will work to achieve those goals if elected: Peter Meijer (MI-03), Dan Rodimer (NV-03), Rich McCormick (GA-07), Rep. Dan Bishop (NC-09), and Matt Rosendale (MT-AL.) AFP Action will leverage a wide-range of tactics, including its signature grassroots engagement, to urge voters to support these candidates in November’s general elections.

AFP Action Senior Advisor Tim Phillips issued the following statement:

“Now more than ever before, voters across the country are looking for leaders that will ensure they can provide for their families, access affordable and quality health care when they need it, and most importantly, can get their lives back to normal. We are excited to throw our full support behind five exceptional candidates that—if elected to Congress—will legislate with those key priorities in mind. Our activists are excited to get to work in their communities and talk to voters ahead of November.”

Dan Rodimer (NV-03)

In the ring or out in Nevada’s communities, Dan Rodimer has proven himself a strong and principled fighter. If elected to Congress, Rodimer will champion policies that help Nevada’s economy rebuild stronger than before. By reducing red tape and lowering taxes, Rodimer will help pave the way for a better Nevada for generations to come. Rodimer will also fight for educational opportunity, so all students have a chance to succeed, and better health care, that families can afford. Due to the principles he stands strong for, Dan Rodimer has earned AFP Action’s support.

Peter Meijer (MI-03)

As a proud fourth generation West Michigander, Peter Meijer knows what matters most to the constituents of Michigan’s 3^rd congressional district. If elected to Congress, Meijer will champion greater access to quality, affordable health care, support educational opportunity for all students, and reduce red tape and taxes to help our economy recover—stronger than before. As a veteran, Meijer will also provide a voice for those who have served our nation and protected our freedoms. It is clear that Peter Meijer will champion policies that improve the lives of all Michiganders in Washington.

Matt Rosendale (MT-AL)

State Auditor Matt Rosendale is a proven leader who will fight for the freedoms of all Montanans if elected to Congress. In both the State Senate and as State Auditor, Rosendale showed principled leadership in reducing red tape, reining in wasteful spending, and ensuring more Montanans could access affordable health care. In Congress, Rosendale will continue his record of ensuring freedom for all Montanans and help build a stronger state for generations to come. By championing freedom in health care, Rosendale will ensure Montanans have more options to health care that meets their needs and allows them to keep their trusted doctors. In reducing red tape, reining in spending, and lowering taxes, Montanans will have more freedom to choose how they spend their hard-earned paychecks and provide for their families. As a proven leader fighting for Montanans’ freedoms, AFP Action is proud to support Matt Rosendale for Congress.

Rich McCormick (GA-07)

An emergency medical physician and Marine Corps pilot, Dr. Rich McCormick will bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership to Washington. Through his professional experiences, Dr. McCormick has seen first-hand the need to reform both the VA and health care in this country. If elected, McCormick will champion greater access to quality health care for Georgia families. He will also work hard to ensure Georgia’s jobs, businesses, and economy recover stronger than before through reducing red tape and lowering taxes. AFP Action looks forward to supporting Dr. Rich McCormick for Congress, as he will lead Georgia forward.

Rep. Dan Bishop (NC-09)

Congressman Dan Bishop puts North Carolina families first in Washington. As a former state legislator and a current member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Bishop has quickly amassed a principled record of tackling the greatest challenges North Carolinians face. Through supporting greater access to quality health care that families can afford or championing policies that make it easier for our economy to recover, Rep. Bishop’s record shows his legislative priorities revolve around what’s most important to his constituents. Rep. Dan Bishop has earned the support of AFP Action for his North Carolina first priorities that champion better health care and our economic recovery.

In the ring or out in our communities across Nevada, Dan Rodimer has proven himself a fighter. Nevada families need someone in Washington who will stand strong with their best interests in mind and support policies that make our great state a better place to raise our families.

Over the past several tenuous months, Nevadans have faced unimaginable hardships, a global pandemic, and an unknown path forward for generations to come. Now more than ever before, it’s imperative that Nevadans have a voice in Washington fighting for policies that make it easier for families to provide and ensures Nevada can prosper for our children and their children. Americans for Prosperity Action sees Dan Rodimer as that voice — the champion will fight for a better Nevada.

• As a small business owner, Dan Rodimer knows that unnecessary red tape and a high tax burden can force small businesses into turning off their lights and permanently extinguishing someone’s American dream. In Washington, Rodimer will make it easier for small businesses to open, rebuild, and recover—stronger than before.
• A family man, Dan Rodimer knows a quality education is the foundation every child needs to succeed. That’s why Dan will champion educational opportunity, so every Nevadan can see their child grow and prosper.
• Rodimer knows that families want to make sure their loved ones stay healthy and can access health care that meets their needs, without breaking the bank. If elected, Dan will champion greater access to quality health care that meets the needs of families. He will also support removing barriers that stand in the way of our health care professionals combating COVID-19 and providing the best care for Nevadans.

For the principles he stands strong for, Americans for Prosperity Action encourages voters of Nevada’s 3^rd Congressional District to send Dan Rodimer to Washington so he can fight for a better Nevada for generations to come.