Why Credit Union Advocacy Matters Most in Divided Times

If there is one thing we have heard repeatedly over the past few years, it is that politics has become too divisive. This is true, but it is also why Wisconsin’s credit unions are uniquely suited to engage.

At The League, advocacy is an extension of our shared mission to improve the financial well-being of Wisconsin families and communities. Every conversation we have with an elected official does not start with party labels, but with the people our credit unions serve.

With the race for Governor between Republican Tom Tiffany and Democrat David Crowley now set, and with majorities at stake in both the State Senate and the State Assembly, Wisconsin voters will have clear choices in November. With this choice comes an opportunity and responsibility for credit union leaders to ensure policymakers understand how their decisions affect Wisconsin families and communities.

That responsibility is even greater in today’s polarized political environment. It is easy to assume meaningful conversations are impossible with headlines emphasizing partisan conflict. Yet credit unions are uniquely positioned to rise above the noise because our work is rooted in improving people’s lives, something policymakers value.

When we meet with legislators, whether Democrats or Republicans, we are not asking them to support credit unions because of ideology. We ask them to understand what happens when a credit union helps a young family qualify for its first mortgage, when someone avoids a predatory lender because their credit union offered a fair alternative, or when a small business owner secures financing that creates jobs in their community. Those aren’t Republican successes or Democratic successes. They’re Wisconsin successes, and they were made possible because of their credit union.

Credit unions have built credibility with policymakers not because we’ve aligned ourselves with one party over the other, but because we’ve built relationships with leaders in both parties based on trust, facts, and a clear sense that credit unions serve the same communities as them.  Because elected officials care deeply about the people they represent, our role is to show how cooperative finance and thoughtful public policy help those constituents succeed.

So, in today’s political environment, it can be tempting to step back and not engage. However, in these politically divisive times, it is even more important to support candidates for office who support the ability of credit unions to thrive, grow, and provide financial well-being for all. The strength of The League’s advocacy work has never depended on which party holds power. It has depended on our willingness to build lasting relationships and remain a trusted resource for policymakers. That credibility gives us an effective voice because our stories are grounded in service to members.

As this election season continues into fall, every credit union has an opportunity to help shape the policy debates impacting our industry. Whether by supporting advocacy efforts through WCULAF and Members’ Conduit, joining conversations with policymakers, and working alongside your credit union’s advocacy leaders and The League, our voice is strongest when we participate. If we continue these efforts, we can ensure that Wisconsin’s credit unions remain a valued resource no matter the political climate.