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Home , Club for Growth, Freedom Caucus, Ted Cruz

Election update, 8.25.16

ADPAC will give maximum direct contributions to the candidates below. ADPAC will also engage in voter registration and Get Out The Vote efforts among dentists residing and eligible to vote in these districts. Lastly, ADPAC will solicit ADA members to give personal contributions to these candidates.

Rep. Mike Simpson, DMD; ID-02 Filing deadline: Passed Primary date: Passed Rating: R+17 ADPAC Direct funding for 2016: $20,000* Rep. Simpson was one of the top-targeted incumbent Republicans in the 2014 election cycle by third party spending group . He took this very seriously and launched an aggressive campaign to defend his seat. He handily won by over 20 points. He defeated his opponent on May 17 73-27%. This is a safe Republican seat. Rep. Simpson has not endorsed a Presidential candidate.

Rep. , DDS; AZ-04 Filing deadline: Passed Primary: August 30 Rating: R+20 ADPAC Direct funding for 2016: $20,000* Rep. Gosar did not face significant opposition in 2014 and it does not appear that he will face significant opposition in 2016. Only one opponent has filed. That opponent has raised $7,000 and has said he “is not running against Paul Gosar, but presenting an alternative on the ballot.” is a rather safe Republican state, but may be the site of a contentious Senate race as Sen. John McCain will face some potential opposition. That race is not likely to affect Rep. Gosar’s race. Rep. Gosar endorsed Sen. for President. This race changed in early August when a third party group, “Right Way SuperPAC” began targeting Rep. Gosar and spending money campaigning against him. In the first three weeks of August, over $280,000 has been spent. The timing of this is puzzling as absentee ballots were mailed at the same time the attack ads began. More money will be spent against Rep. Gosar in the last few days leading up to the primary. ADPAC is doing all it can to assist this unexpected turn of events.

Rep. Brian Bain, DDS; TX-36 Filing deadline: Passed Primary: Passed Rating: R+26 ADPAC Direct funding for 2016: $20,000 Running for his first re-election is much easier than running for the first time in 2014. Dr. Babin was unopposed in his primary and will remain unopposed for the general election. There is no Senate race in TX this year. Rep. Babin endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz for President.

Candidate Fred Costello, DDS; FL-06 Filing deadline: June 24 Primary: August 30 Rating: R+4 ADPAC direct funding for 2016: $10,000 Current State Representative Dr. Fred Costello is running in an open seat vacated by current Rep. Ron DeSantis, who is running for Senate. Dr. Costello previously ran for this seat in 2012 and narrowly lost to DeSantis. At that time, the seat was more Republican and rated R+9. Due to a complicated redistricting for , this is now an R+4 seat. The changes in district lines are advantageous to Dr. Costello as he has represented more of this district that the previously drawn lines, and has the “geographical advantage” in this district. Dr. Costello was the mayor of Ormond Beach before running for the state House and has extensive support and networks through local and state government. He has been endorsed by former Rep. Adams and Adam Barringer, the current mayor of Ormond Beach. Currently, there is a crowded field of Republican candidates and one other state representative, David Santiago. Other candidates include GG Galloway, a realtor who has the full backing of the National Association of Realtors, and Patrick Mooney, a communications expert who can possibly self-fund. This race changed again when Sen. decided to run for re-election to his current Senate seat- the crowded field to replace him mostly cleared and Rep. DeSantis decided to re-file in FL- 06. Dr. Costello decided to stay in the race, even though it is an uphill battle with name ID and financing.

Candidate Drew Ferguson, DMD; GA-03 Filing deadline: Passed Primary: Passed, Run-off is July 26 Ranking: R+20 ADPAC direct funding for 2016: $10,000 Current Congressman Lynn Westmoreland is retiring, leaving this seat open. Dr. Drew Ferguson is the current mayor of West Point, GA. On May 24, Dr. Ferguson came in 2nd place out of 7 candidates- both he and Sen. Crane received 26% of the vote, but Dr. Ferguson came in second by 66 votes. The 5 candidates he defeated have endorsed him, as has Rep. Lynn Westmoreland. State Senator Crane would like to join the and was supported by Club for Growth. As the mayor of West Point, , Dr. Ferguson was able to attract a KIA plant that has brought 15,000 jobs to his area and spurred the economy. On July 26, Dr. Ferguson won the GA-03 run-off. This is a safe Republican seat and he is expected to win in November.

Maximum PAC contributions are $5,000 per race. For an incumbent who also has a leadership PAC, these designations are: • $5,000 toward the 2016 primary election • $5,000 toward the 2016 general election • $5,000 toward 201 leadership PAC efforts • $5,000 toward 2016 leadership PAC efforts First-time candidates do not have leadership PACs and are only eligible for the top two categories.