More Than 90% Of SCI-Backed Candidates Win
By Ben Cassidy
Executive Vice President of International Government and Public Affairs
Originally published in the 2024 December edition of Safari Times.
How refreshing it was to wake up early in the morning after Election Day and have some immediate clarity about the overall results of the election! We knew relatively early the night before that Republicans had taken control of the Senate, but I fully expected the presidential race to take at least a few days to count. That’s what happens when elections are close — but as it turns out, this one wasn’t close at all.
Safari Club International congratulates President Donald J. Trump on his victory in the 2024 presidential election, marking a crucial win for America’s hunters, anglers and conservationists.
SCI supported President Trump throughout the election due to his outspoken and loyal defense of hunters, anglers and responsible conservation policies while serving in office and on the campaign trail.
I extend my personal congratulations to the Pittsburgh Chapter of SCI for their successful member outreach, resulting in the most chapter members who signed onto the SCI 2024 U.S. Election Voting Pledge.
SCI also heavily engaged in two ballot initiatives during the 2024 election cycle and employed significant dollars from the Life Hunter Advocate Society (LHAS) and the Hunter Action Fund (HAF), SCI’s superPAC.
In Colorado, Proposition 127 was the ballot initiative to ban the hunting of mountain lions, bobcats and lynx. LHAS and HAF funds were used to shore up the rural vote and HAF funds contributed to several ads dealing with safety. SCI chapters also heavily contributed funds to the effort. After the vote count was tallied, the ballot measure was defeated, with 54.85% of the voters in opposition.
Furthermore, through HAF as well as LHAS, SCI directly supported efforts in the Sunshine State to enshrine the right to fish and hunt in the state’s constitution. These dollars were deployed to purchase crucial television and digital ads educating voters on Amendment 2 in key areas of the state and encouraging them to go vote. The amendment passed with roughly 67% approval, and in doing so, Florida became the 24th state to protect the right to hunt and fish in perpetuity. The language critically “preserve(s) forever fishing and hunting, including by the use of traditional methods, as a public right and preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife.”
Let’s dive into the details.
The results of the 2024 general election are clear: President-elect Trump will be sworn in on January 20th, 2025, with an electoral mandate, Republican Senate control and a Republican House of Representatives majority. I hope to see all of you in Nashville later that week so we can celebrate together!
These sweeping results mean the years ahead present a massive opportunity to press our advantage and make substantial pro-hunter, pro-conservation policy gains for hunters and anglers like never before.
SCI, SCI-PAC, and HAF were heavily involved in races and ballot initiatives in competitive contests across the nation, spending more than $1.3 million nationally. SCI’s impact during this past election cycle yielded unprecedented success and positively influenced the election’s outcome on behalf of SCI members and sportsmen and women coast to coast.
President Donald J. Trump, Republican, defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrat, and received 312 electoral votes and 74.8 million votes to her 226 electoral votes and 71.2 million votes.
Republicans took control of the U.S. Senate by a 53 to 47 margin, with Republican candidates picking up Democrat-held seats in key battleground states: Dave McCormick (R-PA), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Jim Justice (R-WV), and Bernie Moreno (R-OH). Republicans have maintained control of the U.S. House of Representatives by claiming more than 218 seats, though results for some races are still pending amid ongoing vote counts.
SCI utilized SCI-PAC, the Hunters’ Action Fund, and SCI digital communications and all publications, coupled with earned media responses and editorial engagement, to motivate hunter participation in this election. We also supplied the membership with a one-stop-shop election center on our site, including voting information, SCI-PAC endorsements and a social media tool kit.
HAF ran statewide radio ads in Pennsylvania and Michigan and targeted digital ads for presidential and House races in MT-01, MI-10, WI-03 and PA-08. We also reached low-propensity GOP voters in Montana with several rounds of pro-Tim Sheehy direct mail. Bumper stickers were distributed to 29 races through SCI’s chapter network.
SCI-PAC endorsed Trump for President, raised donations, and had welcomed him to the Hunters’ Embassy on June 13, 2024, to discuss hunting-related issues and the importance of the 2024 election for the outdoor sporting community. SCI also sponsored a Ruthless Podcast episode and fishing outing in Michigan with then-vice-presidential nominee (now VP-elect) Senator JD Vance (R-OH).
SCI endorsed 15 candidates for the U.S. Senate who have consistently stood up for the rights of hunters and anglers in office, in public life, and on the campaign trail. Only a single SCI-endorsed Senate candidate lost: Mike Rogers, in a very tight race against Elissa Slotkin in Michigan.
SCI endorsed 84 candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives who have consistently supported the rights of hunters and anglers in office, in public life and on the campaign trail. Of these 84 candidates, an incredible 74 candidates have secured victory in their races. While several races are still counting votes, these results reflect an incredible 90% win record for SCI’s endorsement list.
Thank you to all the eligible SCI members who went to the polls and voted! And watch this space going forward for news on how we are working to seize the advantage and advance the hunter’s agenda.