Club for Growth Preps $20M Fund to Reelect McCarthy Detractors

The prominent Club for Growth organization is preparing to spend millions of dollars to help reelect the 20 House Republicans who opposed Kevin McCarthy’s speakership bid.

David McIntosh, the president of the group, told donors he was preparing a $20 million defense fund to help “The Patriot 20”, according to a memo obtained by POLITICO. 

“Making our financial commitment public may serve as an effective deterrent to some potential challengers,” he wrote. “Moderate donors and candidates seeking to settle scores should save their money, because we are prepared to win at all costs.”

The Club’s primary goal will be to defend the five freshmen members of the group who are especially vulnerable: Reps. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) and Keith Self (R-Texas).

McIntosh wrote the Club would also closely monitor any primary challengers to the 15 other members such as Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) and Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.). Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), who is considering a Senate run, is also on the list.

McCarthy won the speakership after a historic 15 rounds of voting.

In the memo, the Club also noted that it would also help the three members of the 20 who could be most at risk from Democrats in a general election: Boebert, Luna and Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.).