House Conservatives Fund

The House Conservatives Fund (HCF) is a political action committee re-launched in April 2005 by the House Republican Study Committee (RSC). "HCF replaces an earlier, and largely dormant, Republican Study Committee PAC known as CATPAC, which was run by Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.) in the mid- to late ’90s." During the 109th Congress, the HCF was first led by Rep. Ernest Istook (R-OK) until he stepped down as chairman to run for governor of Oklahoma. "A spokeswoman for Istook said that he had reserved the Web address houseconservatives.com for the fund’s website." After Istook resigned Congressman Tom Feeney (R-FL) took over as Chairman in November of 2005.

HCF "re-launched"
As reported April 29, 2005, by the UPI's Peter Roff, "members of the House Republican Study Committee, who like to brag that they represent the majority of the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, are taking steps to increase their number ... [and] to help conservative candidates prevail over their moderate-to-liberal opponents in party primaries. Unlike some of the other groups around town with similar mission statements, those behind the HCF say they will not get involved in races where Republican incumbents are being challenged from the right." 

2006 Campaigns Supported
In 2006 the HCF has ensdorsed four Republican challengers against Democrat incumbents:
 * David McSweeney vs. Rep. Melissa Bean in Illinois;
 * Jeff Lamberti vs. Rep. Leonard Boswell in Indiana;
 * Van Taylor vs. Rep. Chet Edwards in Texas; and
 * Ralph Norman vs. Rep. John Spratt in South Carolina.

It also supported nine open seat candidates
 * Rep. John Campbell, Claifornia
 * Jim Jordan Ohio
 * Adrian Smith Nebraska
 * Bill Sali Idaho
 * Doug Lamborn Colorado
 * Sharron Angle North Virginia
 * Michele Bachmann Maine
 * Peter Roskam Illinois
 * Mike Whalen Indiana
 * Ray Meier New York

Lobbyist Steering Committee
"A number of lobbyists with conservative ties have joined HCF’s steering committee to help organize fundraisers," The Hill reported April 6, 2005. Members of HCF's steering committee include "former Rep. David McIntosh (R-Ind.), former RSC executive directors Kevin Ring of Barnes & Thornburg and Jen Larkin of Barbour, Griffith and Rogers, Terry Allen at the Alexander Strategy Group, Roger Morse at Preston Gates, Chris Myers at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Michael Hanson at the C2 Group and Teddy Eynon at the DCI Group." 

Fundraising
The April 26, 2005, "kickoff fundraiser" was a "reception geared toward K Street donors at Capitol Hill eatery La Colline." Roff reported that the HCF "raised $100,000 at its initial public offering -- and expects to raise considerably more than that in the run-up to the 2006 primary election season." 

For the 2006 election cycle HCF had raised more than $500,000 by August 2006, "with a renewed focus on individual donors from across the country. Recent fundraisers in Washington DC include a general PAC reception which raised roughly $40,000 and a Kentucky Bourbon tasting, which was identified by CongressDaily as a "Hot Ticket." Upcoming events include a Bass Fishing tournament hosted by Hon. Dick Armey."

PR
Oxford Communications founded in 2000, led by its principal William Black, lists among its clients the House Conservatives Fund, Republican Governors Association, Republican National Committee, National Republican Congressional Committee, and the American Conservative Union. 

In 2006 HCF stated that they do "not currently work with Oxford Communications or any other public relations firm."

Personnel

 * Mike Bober Executive Director

Contact details
3101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 810 Arlington, VA 22201

Mike Bober Executive Director, House Conservatives Fund PO Box 2752 Washington, DC 20013-2752 Phone: (202) 441-1236 Email: mbober AT houseconservatives.com Web: http://www.houseconservatives.com/

Related SourceWatch Resources

 * House Centrist Coalition

Contributions/Fund-raisers

 * House Conservatives Fund, Federal Election Commission Disclosure Report: Listing of Contributors dating to 1997; Committees and Candidates Supported/Opposed dating to 1997, and Individuals Who Gave to This Committee dating to 1997.
 * National Republican Congressional Committee website. Go to "Events."

Articles & Commentary

 * Josephine Hearn, "House conservatives create PAC for the 'majority of the majority'," The Hill, April 6, 2005.
 * Peter Roff, "That's Politics!" UPI, April 29, 2005.