PrimaryMyCongressman.com
The advocacy arm of the Club for Growth, a free-market political group, has launched a website to wage primary election challenges against Republicans with voting records that don't meet its standards. The effort aims to replace "moderate" lawmakers with candidates the group considers suitably conservative.
The provocative website, PrimaryMyCongressman.com, will serve as a hub for conservative activists who seek to replace sitting members and a way to shame lawmakers who have scored poorly on the group's legislative scorecard. The club has sought to increase its influence in recent years: In 2012, the Club for Growth spent nearly $18 million on federal elections.
“Big government liberals inhabit the Democratic Party, but they are far too common within the Republican Party as well,” said Club for Growth President Chris Chocola in a statement announcing the site. “The Republicans helped pass billions of dollars in tax increases and they have repeatedly voted against efforts by fiscal conservatives to limit government. PrimaryMyCongressman.com will serve as a tool to hold opponents of economic freedom and limited government accountable for their actions.”
Facing pressure from groups like the Club for Growth and the tea party movement in recent election cycles, many veteran Republican lawmakers have faced primary battles, causing frustration among party members who seek to move the party further to the center.
The new Club for Growth campaign will highlight the records of several Republicans, but the first on the site include Reps. Mike Simpson of Idaho, Adam Kinzinger and Aaron Schock of Illinois, Rick Crawford of Arkansas, Frank Lucas of Oklahoma, Steve Palazzo of Mississippi, Martha Roby of Alabama, Larry Bucshon of Indiana and Renee Ellmers of North Carolina.