Seventeen months out from the 2024 elections, America’s electorate remains as closely divided as ever. In the Senate, Democrats face the daunting task of holding on to their majority while fielding incumbent candidates (or defending an open seat) in what are currently rated as the eight most closely contested races. In the House, the GOP will attempt to defend its four-seat majority, out of which roughly a dozen incumbents are currently rated Toss Up or worse.

COALPAC/MINEPAC Fundraising

As the 2024 election season gets underway in earnest, NMA's political action committees find themselves well back in the pack as measured against comparable associations’ PAC fundraising efforts. Last election cycle, COALPAC and MINEPAC raised $254,755. The chart below shows where our PAC fundraising efforts place us relative to other large trade associations.

MINEPAC and COALPAC currently sit in the middle of a very competitive pack of trade association political action committees. MINEPAC and COALPAC are a vital tool for NMA and our members to support key members of Congress working to prioritize pro-mining policies in legislation and stand up for the mining industry.

As Congress considers legislation that impacts everything from permitting and production to energy security, land access, infrastructure, and national security, NMA and Americans who depend on our nation’s mineral resources need our voices to be heard.

To donate to MINEPAC, please click on the logo below:

To donate to COALPAC, please click on the logo below:

Please also consider a PAC to PAC contribution from your company’s Political Action Committee to MINEPAC or COALPAC. For more information on NMA’s PACs, please contact Ryan Jackson at rjackson@nma.org or MK Kirlin at mkirlin@nma.org. In the meantime, see our FAQs to learn more.

Thank you for your valued and critical support.

Upcoming Opportunities to Support Key Allies in Congress

In June and July, MINEPAC and COALPAC are hosting fundraisers for key allies in Congress.

On June 12, we are holding a fundraising lunch for Congressman Bill Johnson, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials. Congressman Johnson is a long-term ally of the mining industry and working to support mining industry priorities and mining industry jobs in permitting and production legislation this Congress.

On June 23, we are holding a fundraising lunch for Congressman Pete Stauber, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. Congressman Stauber is one of the biggest mining allies in all of Congress. He worked to ensure mining industry priorities on permitting reform and new domestic production were key parts of the House-passed H.R. 1 and continues to work to ensure mining priorities are a key part of permitting legislative negotiations.

On July 13, we are holding a fundraising lunch for Senator John Barrasso, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Senator Barrasso is a long-term ally of the mining industry and has introduced the lead Senate legislation championing hardrock mining permitting and production priorities, new coal leasing deadlines, and support for ensuring a reliable electric grid with affordable and reliable coal resources.

Since all events are being held at the NMA, you can attend virtually. However, we would really like to ensure a great in-person turnout and strong support for each member of Congress.

Below you can find copies of the invitations for each event.

Senate Q1 Fundraising

Show me the money? It is very early in this election cycle, but here are fundraising numbers in U.S. Senate contests so far.

*Incumbent Sen. Tom Carper (D) will not run for re-election; no candidates for his open seat have filed Q1 FEC reports.
**Special election to complete the term of former Sen. Ben Sasse (R), who resigned on January 8, 2023.
Boldface indicates incumbent.
Source: FEC Reports, May 22, 2023

House Fundraising

Politico published: “House Democrats’ big fundraising haul comes with a huge caveat.”

2024 Presidential Election

President Joe Biden formally announced his re-election bid, prompting FiveThirtyEight to handicap his chances.

Roll Call published: “Biden’s official entry to 2024 race shapes House and Senate fight.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis used Twitter to formally announce his bid for the Republican presidential nomination.

Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced he will run for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, and Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) made his presidential campaign official.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced he will run for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signaled he is reconsidering his decision not to run for president.

Wall Street Journal launched a scorecard of all announced and potential presidential candidates.

Departing Members

2024 U.S. Senate Race Rankings

Since the last issue of Political Update was published, The Cook Political Report has changed its outlook on just one race. Cruz (TX) moves from Solid R to Likely R following Democrats’ recruitment to the race of former NFL player Rep. Colin Allred, who currently represents Texas’ 32nd Congressional district. Two Democratic Senators have also since announced their intention not to seek re-election: Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Senator Tom Carper (D-DE). However, as these seats are in reliably Democratic states, their retirements are not expected to affect the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.

Nonetheless, Democrats still face a formidable task to hold on to their majority in the Upper Chamber, as they will have to defend 23 seats to Republicans' 11. Republicans need only to pick up two net seats—or just one if they win back the presidency—to take back the Senate majority. All three Senate races currently rated Toss Up are currently held by Democrats; furthermore, all five of the next-most-vulnerable seats (rated Lean D) are also held by Democrats.

Blue type indicates seat currently held by a Democrat; red type indicates seat currently held by a Republican.

Source: Cook Political Report, May 3, 2023.

U.S. Senate Updates

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) announced he will not seek re-election in 2024.

Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) announced he will not seek re-election in 2024.

Republican West Virginia Governor Jim Justice registered to run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Joe Manchin.

Politico published: “Montana beef: Bad blood intensifies between Tester and Daines.” Washington Post published: “The battle to defeat Jon Tester in Montana is personal for Republicans.”

CNN published: “Senate Republicans confront 2024 primary challenges and Trump’s influence.”

Roll Call published: “Which senators still undecided about 2024 runs will matter most?”

CNN profiled “the 10 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2024.” The Hill focused on five seats.

Politico published: “Dems’ great hope to hold the Senate: GOP primary implosions.”

2024 U.S. House Race Rankings

Since the last issue of Political Update was published, The Cook Political Report has changed its outlook on just two races. Maryland’s 5th Congressional district, the open seat currently held by Rep. David Trone (D), is newly competitive at Likely D following Trone’s announcement that he will seek the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Ben Cardin (D-MD). CA-27 Garcia moves from Lean R to Toss Up R following Democrats’ recruitment of George Whitesides, former CEO of Richard Branson’s space tourism company Virgin Galactic, to compete for this north Los Angeles-based seat.

The GOP holds only a four-seat majority in the House. Currently, 23 House races are rated Toss Up or worse, with these most vulnerable of incumbents divided almost evenly between the two parties.

Blue type indicates seat currently held by a Democrat; red type indicates seat currently held by a Republican.

Source: Cook Political Report, May 4, 2023.

U.S. House Updates

Washington Post described the “five families” that wield power in the Republican House.

Roll Call’s annual analysis of Congressional voting showed division in the House to be falling while the Senate hit a new high.

Roll Call published: “Most vulnerable House list runs through New York, California.”

2024 Governor Race Rankings

The Cook Political Report has not updated its governor race rankings since the last issue of Political Update was published. However, three Southern states that hold their gubernatorial elections in November 2023 may provide an early indication as to which way the political winds are blowing. The GOP will be looking to pick up seats currently held by Governor Andy Beshear (D-KY), currently rated Lean D, as well as the open seat currently held by Governor John Bel Edwards (D-LA), rated Lean R. On the other hand, Democrats hope to unseat sitting Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves (R) in what to date has been a closer-than-expected race currently rated Likely R.

Blue type indicates seat currently held by a Democrat; red type indicates seat currently held by a Republican.

Source: Cook Political Report, February 16, 2023.

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Questions? Comments? Feel free to contact Ryan Jackson, Senior Vice President, Government & Political Affairs, at RJackson@nma.org. Thank you for your continued support of the Political Action Committees of the National Mining Association!