Club for Growth

The Club for Growth was founded in 1999 by Stephen Moore, Thomas L. Rhodes, and Richard Gilder.{{Cite web|last=Zuylen-Wood|first=Simon Van|title=Can the Club for Growth Survive Donald Trump?|url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/09/donald-trump-club-for-growth-214278|access-date=2020-07-17|website=POLITICO Magazine|language=en}} Moore served as the first president of the Club from 1999 until December 2004, when board members voted to remove Moore as president. In 2003 through 2004, the Club for Growth was the largest single fundraiser for Republican House and Senate candidates, outside of the Republican Party itself, raising nearly $22 million.

Future Pennsylvania United States Senator Pat Toomey served as president from 2005 until his resignation in April 2009. Former Indiana Congressman Chris Chocola succeeded Toomey. Chocola served as president through December 2014. He remains a member of the Club's board. Former Indiana Congressman David McIntosh was named president in January 2015.{{cite web|author1=John Sugden|title=Club for Growth Names New President After Lackluster Returns in '14 |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2014/12/club-for-growth-names-new-president-after-lackluster-returns-in-14/ |publisher=OpenSecrets |access-date=December 19, 2014|date=December 16, 2014}}

On September 19, 2005, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) filed suit against the Club for Growth alleging violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act for failing to register as a political action committee in the 2000, 2002, and 2004 congressional elections.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fec.gov/press/press2005/20050919suit.html |title=Club for Growth Suit |access-date=February 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032359/http://www.fec.gov/press/press2005/20050919suit.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} In September 2007, the Citizens Club for Growth (the Club for Growth changed its name) and the FEC agreed to settle the lawsuit.[https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-09-05-club-for-growth_N.htm AP, "Citizens Club for Growth to pay fine"], USA Today, September 5, 2007. According to their joint filing, Citizens Club for Growth said "that it operated under the good faith belief that it had not triggered political committee status ... [and] [f]or the purposes of this settlement, and in order to avoid protracted litigation costs, without admitting or denying each specific basis for the [FEC's] conclusions," Citizens Club for Growth no longer contested the alleged violations and agreed to pay $350,000 in civil penalties.{{cite news|title=United States District Court for the District of Columbia: Stipulation for Entry of Consent Judgment|url=http://www.fec.gov/law/litigation/club_for_growth_stip_consent_judgment.pdf|access-date=April 1, 2013|date=September 5, 2007}}{{Primary source inline|reason=Secondary source needed for due weight|date=April 2019}}

According to the Associated Press, the settlement was one of "a series of actions by the FEC to penalize independent political groups that spent money to influence elections but did not register as political committees. The groups, called 527 organizations for the section of the IRS code ... , played a significant role in the 2004 congressional and presidential elections by raising unlimited amounts of money from labor groups, corporations and wealthy individuals." On June 25, 2012, U.S. District Court Judge Robert L. Wilkins issued an order stating that the FEC "is FORMALLY REPRIMANDED as a sanction for violating explicitly clear orders" (emphasis in original text) regarding confidentiality in the 2007 settlement agreement."{{cite news|title=United States District Court for the District of Columbia: Civl No. 05-1851|date=2012-06-25}}{{Primary source inline|reason=Secondary source needed for due weight|date=April 2019}}

In 2010, the Club's political arms spent about $8.6 million directly on candidates and bundled another $6 million from Club members, directing those funds to candidates. In 2012, according to OpenSecrets, Club members donated at least $4 million, and the Club's political arms spent nearly $18 million on elections.{{cite web |title=Organization Profiles: Club for Growth |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000000763 | publisher=OpenSecrets}}

In 2013, the Club for Growth super PAC's donors included Peter Thiel, an early backer of Facebook and a co-founder of PayPal, who gave $2 million; Virginia James ($1.2 million); John W. Childs ($1.1 million), chairman and founder of the Boston-based private equity firm J.W. Childs Associates; Robert D. Arnott ($750,000), the chairman and chief executive of California-based Research Affiliates; Robert Mercer, the co-chief executive of Renaissance Technologies and part-owner of Cambridge Analytica, gave $600,000; and hedge fund manager Paul Singer gave $100,000.Yang, Jia Lynn (October 11, 2013). "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2013/10/11/heres-who-pays-the-bills-for-ted-cruzs-crusade/ Here's who pays the bills for Ted Cruz's crusade]". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 20, 2019

The Club for Growth's super PAC, which historically has been most active in Republican primary elections, spent more in general elections in the 2018 cycle than it ever had before. This trend was expected to continue into 2020.{{cite news |last1=Pathé |first1=Simone |title=It's no longer all about Republican primaries for the Club for Growth |url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/campaigns/no-longer-republican-primaries-club-growth |access-date=3 April 2019 |publisher=Roll Call |date=March 7, 2019}} Club for Growth president David McIntosh described the Club's evolution, saying "We want to be the political arm of the conservative movement—inside the Republican Party."{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Matt |title=The Club for Growth, Once a Sometimes Thorn in GOP's Side, Joins the Party—and Team Trump |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-club-for-growth-once-a-sometimes-thorn-in-gops-side-joins-the-partyand-team-trump |access-date=3 April 2019 |publisher=Daily Beast |date=March 8, 2019}}

In June 2020, The Hill wrote that the Club was "flexing its financial muscle this year, doling out millions of dollars to conservative congressional candidates and outspending most other outside groups as it looks to help the GOP keep control of the Senate and improve Republican chances in the House." The Club for Growth raised $55 million in 2020, "making 2020 its most lucrative cycle yet." The Club, which said it planned to spend at least $35 million in the 2020 election cycle, outspent most other groups not affiliated with presidential candidates.{{cite news |last1=Axelrod |first1=Tal |title=Club for Growth unleashes financial juggernaut for 2020 races |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/504435-club-for-growth-unleashes-fundraising-might-for-2020/ |access-date=8 July 2020 |work=The Hill |date=June 25, 2020}} According to a Guardian analysis, the organization was one of the biggest backers of the Republican lawmakers who tried to overturn the 2020 US election results. It spent $20m to support its campaigns in 2018 and 2020. One of the largest donors was Jeffrey Yass who in 2020 donated $20.7m to the Club.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-15|title=Billionaires backed Republicans who sought to reverse US election results|url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/15/trump-republicans-election-defeat-club-for-growth|access-date=2021-01-16|website=The Guardian|language=en}}

Founder Stephen Moore has said, "We want to be seen as the tax cut enforcer in the [Republican] party."[https://books.google.com/books?id=3sWuxbNG1RQC&dq=club+for+growth+tax-cut+enforcer&pg=PA14 Running on empty: how the Democratic and Republican Parties are bankrupting our future] By Peter G. Peterson. Unlike many other political action committees, the Club for Growth's PAC regularly participates in funding candidates for primary elections. The Club focuses more on open seats than on challenging sitting Republicans, but it has helped to unseat a number of incumbent Republicans. The Club for Growth has established a vetting process for potential candidates that involves one or more interviews, research on the race and the candidate's record, and a poll conducted to establish whether the candidate has a viable chance for victory.{{cite news|last=Heller|first=Marc|title=Club for Growth on fence|url=http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20100424/NEWS02/304249951|access-date=March 15, 2013|newspaper=Watertown Daily Times|date=2010-04-24|archive-date=October 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015080333/http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20100424/NEWS02/304249951|url-status=dead}} Each election cycle, the Club's PAC endorses candidates and encourages donors to support the endorsed candidates. Promoting a more conservative agenda, the Club is known for targeting "establishment" Republican candidates.

In 2003, the original Club for Growth strongly opposed the Medicare prescription drug benefit proposal.{{cite news|title=Medicare reform The biggest turkey of all?|url=http://www.economist.com/node/2246429|access-date=February 13, 2013|newspaper=The Economist|date=2003-11-27}} The Club for Growth strongly supported the Bush tax cuts of 2003 and ran television ads against two Republicans who voiced opposition to the tax cuts. According to The New York Times, "Last spring, [Club for Growth president Steve] Moore attacked two Republican Senators who were resisting the latest tax cut: George Voinovich of Ohio and Olympia Snowe of Maine. He ran ads in each of their states in which he compared them with the French president, Jacques Chirac. Karl Rove, President Bush's political advisor, stated that the ads were "stupid" and "counterproductive".{{cite news|last=Bai|first=Matt|title=Fight Club|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/10/magazine/fight-club.html|access-date=February 13, 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 10, 2003}}

In 2005, Pat Toomey became president and the Club for Growth created a congressional scorecard. The Club's first key vote alert was an amendment sponsored by a Democrat. Representative Earl Blumenauer offered an amendment to an agricultural appropriations bill that would have reduced the sugar program by 6 percent. The Club for Growth supported the amendment, which failed, 146–280.{{cite web|title=FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 234|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll234.xml|publisher=House of Representatives|access-date=February 13, 2013}}{{cite web|title=CLUB ANNOUNCES NEW CONGRESSIONAL SCORECARD|url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/press-release/club-announces-new-congressional-scorecard/|access-date=March 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705112028/http://www.clubforgrowth.org/press-release/club-announces-new-congressional-scorecard/|archive-date=July 5, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

The Club fought to support the Dominican Republic–Central America Free Trade Agreement in 2005, running print advertisements in local Beltway publications in the Washington, DC area. According to Roll Call, "Former Rep. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), president of the Club for Growth, a CAFTA supporter, said his group continued running advertisements before the Congressional vote."{{cite news|last=Ackley|first=Kate|title=CAFTA Vote Is Emerging As a Major Litmus Test|url=http://www.rollcall.com/issues/51_10/-10149-1.html|access-date=February 13, 2013|newspaper=Roll Call|date=2005-07-25}}

The Club opposed the 2005 highway bill.{{cite web|title=FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 453|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll453.xml|publisher=House of Representatives|access-date=February 13, 2013}} President Bush threatened to veto the bill but did sign it. The Christian Science Monitor quoted David Keating saying, "For fiscal conservatives, it's frustrating to watch ... He's beginning to lose all credibility with these veto threats."{{cite news|last=Burke|first=Josh|title=Bush makes history – a five-year streak without saying 'no'|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0816/p01s04-uspo.html|access-date=February 13, 2013|newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor|date=2005-08-16}} According to The Washington Post, "The Club for Growth, a conservative group that funds like-minded candidates for Congress, has turned the highway legislation into a bumper sticker for the GOP's fiscal failings.{{cite news|last=Murray|first=Shailagh|title=Some in GOP Regretting Pork-Stuffed Highway Bill|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/04/AR2005110401840.html|access-date=February 13, 2013|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=November 5, 2005}}

Keating said to the Chicago Sun-Times, "It is a pork-laden bill."{{cite news|last=Sweet|first=Lynn|title=Museum gets a plum from Congress|url=http://www.suntimes.com/output/sweet/cst-nws-sweet10.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050908162300/http://www.suntimes.com/output/sweet/cst-nws-sweet10.html|archive-date=2005-09-08|access-date=February 13, 2013|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=August 10, 2005}} The Christian Science Monitor reported Toomey saying,

"This is a defining moment. The Republican Party came to power in 1995 by advocating limited government. But in the last four to five years, there has been no evidence that the Republican officials in the federal government have any remaining commitment to this vital principle."{{cite news|last=Russell Chaddock|first=Gail|title=Budget debate now a fight for soul of GOP|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1024/p02s01-uspo.html|access-date=February 13, 2013|newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor|date=2005-10-24}}

During the debate on the highway bill, the Club supported an amendment by Tom Coburn that would defund the noted Gravina Island Bridge, from Ketchikan to the island in Southeast Alaska.

Following the Supreme Court's Kelo v. City of New London decision, the Club gained an appropriations amendment by Scott Garrett to prohibit funds in the bill from being used to enforce the Court's decision. The amendment passed, 231–189.{{cite web|title=FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 350|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll350.xml|publisher=House of Representatives|access-date=February 13, 2013}} The Club for Growth PAC highlighted this vote when it targeted Joe Schwarz, a House Republican who it helped defeat in 2006, claiming he was too liberal.{{cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Patrick|title=Main Street gears up to defend its own |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/8151-main-street-gears-up-to-defend-its-own/|access-date=February 13, 2013|newspaper=The Hill|date=2006-03-21}}

In the spring of 2006, the Club opposed the 527 Reform Act, which curtailed spending by such political organizations. It led a coalition of center-right groups in sending letters to Congress to support its position.{{cite news|last=Toomey|first=Patrick|title=527 'Reform' Bill Goes Too Far|url=http://www.humanevents.com/2006/04/05/527-reform-bill-goes-too-far/|access-date=February 13, 2013|newspaper=Human Events|date=April 5, 2006}} The House passed the 527 Reform Act by a margin of 218–209, but the Senate did not consider the legislation.{{cite web|title=FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 88|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll088.xml#N|publisher=House of Representatives|access-date=February 13, 2013}}

The Club for Growth supported various amendments to cut earmarks in the budget, such as "dairy education" and a "wine initiative."{{cite web |title=The 2006 Congressional Scorecard – House |url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/projects/?subSec=13&id=647 |publisher=Club for Growth |access-date=February 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124043046/http://www.clubforgrowth.org/projects/?subSec=13&id=647 |archive-date=November 24, 2009 }} The Club included assessment of sponsorship of the card check bill in its scorecard. If lawmakers co-sponsored the bill, they were docked points in the rating system.{{cite web|title=Card Check is an Abomination|url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/news/pr/?id=580|publisher=Club for Growth|access-date=February 13, 2013}}

The Club for Growth issued a new scorecard in 2007 that highlighted how House members voted on several amendments that defunded earmarks. Sixteen congressmen scored a perfect 100% on the so-called "RePORK Card", voting for all 50 anti-pork amendments. They were all Republicans. Conversely, 105 congressmen (81 Democrats and 24 Republicans) scored a 0%, voting against every single amendment. In 2007, the Club also scored against House bills that increased the minimum wage, implemented card check, and sought caps on CEO pay.{{cite web|title=The Club's 2007 Congressional Scorecard |url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/projects/scorecard/?year=2007&chamber=2 |publisher=Club for Growth |access-date=February 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123054113/http://www.clubforgrowth.org/projects/scorecard/?year=2007&chamber=2 |archive-date=January 23, 2013 }} In the Senate, the Club scored against bills that increased the minimum wage, passage of the farm bill, and the SCHIP healthcare plan.{{cite web|title=2007 Senate Scorecard |url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/projects/scorecard/?year=2007&chamber=1 |publisher=Club for Growth |access-date=February 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123054118/http://www.clubforgrowth.org/projects/scorecard/?year=2007&chamber=1 |archive-date=January 23, 2013 }}

In 2007, the Club for Growth opposed protectionist policies against China. Senators Chuck Schumer of New York and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina had proposed a bill to apply large tariffs on Chinese imports if that country did not increase the value of its currency. In response, the Club sponsored a petition of 1,028 economists who stated their opposition to protectionist policies against China. The list of economists included Nobel Laureates Finn Kydland, Edward Prescott, Thomas Schelling, and Vernon Smith. The petition played off a similar petition that was also signed by 1,028 economists in 1930 that opposed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act.{{cite web|title=Who Wants to Return to President Hoover's Import Export Trade Policies? |url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/projects/?subSec=10 |publisher=Club for Growth |access-date=February 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123054338/http://www.clubforgrowth.org/projects/?subSec=10 |archive-date=January 23, 2013 }}

In 2008 and 2009, the Club for Growth opposed the $787 billion stimulus bill, Cash for Clunkers, cap and trade legislation, the Wall Street bailout, the auto bailout, the Affordable Care Act and the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.{{cite news|title=Reaction to Bush's decision on auto bailout|url=http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_wires/2008Dec19/0,4675,MeltdownAutosReaction,00.html|access-date=February 13, 2013|newspaper=Associated Press|date=2008-12-19}}

After Barack Obama was elected president in November 2008, Club President Pat Toomey penned an op-ed that included the results of a poll commissioned by the Club: "A poll commissioned by the Club for Growth in 12 swing congressional districts over the past weekend shows that the voters who made the difference in this election still prefer less government—lower taxes, less spending and less regulation—to Obama's economic liberalism. Turns out, Americans didn't vote for Dems because they support their redistributionist agenda, but because they are fed up with the GOPers in office. This was a classic 'throw the bums out' election, rather than an embrace of the policy views of those who will replace them."{{cite news|last=Toomey|first=Patrick|title=Swing Voters Don't Want Big Government|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122593328956303419|access-date=February 13, 2013|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=November 6, 2008}}

In 2009, the Club produced another "RePORK Card". This time there were 22 House members with a 100% score: 1 Democrat and 21 Republicans. At the bottom, 211 House members received a 0% score: 202 Democrats and 9 Republicans.{{cite web|title=The 2009 Club for Growth RePORK Card: Full Report |url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/projects/?subSec=14&id=118 |publisher=Club for Growth |access-date=February 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115022741/http://www.clubforgrowth.org/projects/?subSec=14&id=118 |archive-date=November 15, 2012 }}

The Club for Growth launched its Repeal It! campaign in 2010 in an attempt to help build public support for undoing the Affordable Care Act. In 2010, more than 400 federal lawmakers and candidates signed the Repeal It! pledge, including more than 40 of the incoming freshman class of congressmen and senators.{{cite web|title=Year After Launching Pledge, Club for Growth Calls on House to Repeal It!|url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=14689|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130414121605/http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=14689|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 14, 2013|publisher=Club for Growth|access-date=February 13, 2013}}

The Club for Growth advocated the discharge petition, a proposal that would have forced a House vote on repealing the Affordable Care Act. At the time, Keith Olbermann said: "The petition, which would need 218 signatures to force House Speaker Pelosi to put the repeal bill up for a vote, went largely ignored. As Talking Points Memo reports, on Monday it had only 30 signatures. That is until the right wing group Club For Growth e-mailed its members, explaining Mr. [Steve] King's discharge petition will be considered as a key vote on the club's annual Congressional scorecard. That scorecard is considered one of the gold standards of conservative rankings. That and the Spanish Inquisition. So by Tuesday, the petition had 22 more signatures."{{cite news|title=Countdown with Keith Olbermann' for Thursday, July 1, 2010|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna38055742|access-date=February 13, 2013|newspaper=MSNBC|date=2010-07-20}}

The Club was involved in the debate over the debt ceiling that took place in August 2011. The Club endorsed and strongly supported "Cut Cap and Balance" and ran issue ads urging Republicans to "show some spine" on maintaining the debt ceiling.{{cite news|title=Club For Growth Ad Tells GOP to "Show Some Spine"|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/07/11/club_for_growth_ad_tells_gop_to_show_some_spine.html|access-date=February 13, 2013|newspaper=Real Clear Politics|date=July 11, 2011}}

The Club opposed the re-authorization of the Export-Import Bank.{{cite news|last=Wasson |first=Erik |title=Conservative groups to punish members voting for Cantor's Export-Import bill |url=http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/1005-trade/225775-conservative-groups-to-punish-members-voting-for-cantor-export-import-bill |access-date=February 13, 2013 |newspaper=The Hill |date=May 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030061834/http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/1005-trade/225775-conservative-groups-to-punish-members-voting-for-cantor-export-import-bill |archive-date=October 30, 2013 }} The Club also took a strong position against Republicans voting for tax increases during the debate over the so-called "fiscal cliff". The Club opposed the "Plan B" tax increase proposed by John Boehner and also opposed the final deal.{{cite news|last=O'Keefe|first=Ed|title=Club for Growth comes out against 'Plan B'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2012/12/19/club-for-growth-tells-lawmakers-to-vote-no-on-plan-b/|access-date=February 13, 2013|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=2012-12-19|author2=Helderman, Rosalind}}

In September 2013, Club for Growth made voting on the Continuing Appropriations Resolution a key vote, announcing it track how representatives voted on the bill and make that part of their congressional scorecard.{{cite web|last=Roth|first=Andrew|title=Key Vote Alert – "YES" on FY14 Continuing Resolution (H.J.Res 59)|url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=16182|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130923145336/http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=16182|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 23, 2013|publisher=Club for Growth|access-date=September 23, 2013}} The group urged representatives to vote yes, particularly with defunding ObamaCare in mind.

The Club for Growth opposed the Ryan-Murray Budget deal.{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Sean|title=Conservatives slam Ryan-Murray budget deal|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/12/11/conservatives-slam-ryan-murray-budget-deal/|access-date=January 14, 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=December 11, 2013}} It also opposed the 2013 farm bill, which failed for the first time in the bill's 40-year history.{{cite news|last=Dumain|first=Emma|title=Farm Bill's Failure Poisons Well in House|url=http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/farm-bill-defeated-in-blow-to-boehner/|access-date=January 14, 2014|newspaper=Roll Call|date=June 6, 2013|author2=Dennis, Steven}}{{cite news|last=Dumain|first=Emma|title=Farm Bill Split Won't Appease Club for Growth|url=http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/farm-bill-split-wont-appease-club-for-growth/|access-date=January 14, 2014|newspaper=Roll Call|date=July 1, 2013}}{{cite news|last=Abbott|first=Charles|title=U.S. House deals shock defeat to Republican farm bill|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-agriculture-idUSL2N0EW1CL20130620|access-date=January 14, 2014|newspaper=Reuters|date=2013-06-20}}

The Club's PAC spent $3.1 million ($2.4 million on independent expenditures and $700,000 on ads) or nearly half of the $7.8 million which it spent in 2014 on Chris McDaniel's effort to defeat Thad Cochran in the United States Senate Republican primary election in Mississippi, 2014.

From April through June 2015, the Club for Growth spent $1 million on television ads in nine congressional districts, urging the members of Congress in those districts to oppose re-authorization of the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank). Additional advertisements were announced in two districts in Utah, but were cancelled when the members declared their opposition to the Ex-Im Bank.{{cite news|last1=Min Kim|first1=Seung|title=Club for Growth adds 2 more targets|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/club-for-growth-export-import-bank-bruce-westerman-phil-roe-118863|access-date=December 3, 2015|publisher=Politico|date=June 11, 2015}} In addition, the Club for Growth announced a key vote against re-authorization of the Ex-Im Bank.{{cite news|last1=Needham|first1=Vicki|title=Club for Growth key-votes Export-Import Bank vote|url=https://thehill.com/policy/finance/257916-club-for-growth-key-votes-export-import-bank-vote/|access-date=December 3, 2015|work=The Hill|date=October 23, 2015}}

The Club for Growth produced a series of policy papers on the positions taken by major Republican presidential candidates on the government's role in economic growth. The eleven papers examined the records and remarks of the candidates on issues such as tax reform, government spending, entitlement reform, and free trade.{{cite web|title=2016 Presidential White Paper Series|url=http://presidentialwhitepapers.com/|publisher=Club for Growth|access-date=December 3, 2015}} The Club concluded that Senators Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and Marco Rubio were the most likely candidates to enact pro-growth policies if elected president.{{cite news|last1=Bordelon|first1=Brandon|title=Cruz, Paul, and Rubio Get Qualified Thumbs-Up from Club for Growth|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/article/417000/cruz-paul-and-rubio-get-qualified-thumbs-club-growth-brendan-bordelon|access-date=December 3, 2015|publisher=National Review|date=April 16, 2015}}

In October 2015, the Club for Growth announced a key vote against the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, saying that it would include a $1.5 trillion in the debt ceiling and a $112 billion increase in federal spending.{{cite news|last1=Roth|first1=Andrew|title=Key Vote Alert – "NO" on the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (HR 1314)|url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/key-votes/key-vote-alert-no-on-the-bipartisan-budget-act-of-2015-hr-1314/|access-date=December 3, 2015|publisher=Club for Growth|date=October 28, 2015}}

The Club for Growth has opposed government action to curb greenhouse gas emissions. In 2009, the Club for Growth pressured Republican politicians not to support a cap-and-trade bill, which the group viewed as being "extremely harmful to the economy."{{Cite web|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/11/20/20greenwire-across-the-board-gop-senate-candidates-shy-awa-12844.html?scp=2&sq=greenwire&st=cse|title=Across the Board, GOP Senate Candidates Shy Away From Cap and Trade - NYTimes.com|website=archive.nytimes.com|access-date=2018-11-27}} In 2011, the group issued a white paper criticizing presidential candidate Mitt Romney's regulatory record as Massachusetts governor, including his support of global warming policies.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-draws-early-fire-from-conservatives-over-views-on-climate-change/2011/06/08/AGkUTaMH_story.html|title=Romney draws early fire from conservatives over views on climate change|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2018-11-27}} In 2017, the group called on President Trump to exit the Paris Agreement.

The Club for Growth opposes efforts to fund the Internal Revenue Service. In 2021, the Club for Growth claimed that efforts to fund the IRS were intended to aggressively pursue conservatives and that it was one of the "vicious tactics of the radical socialist left".{{Cite news|last=Rappeport|first=Alan|date=2021-07-23|title=For Republicans, Deep Wounds Fuel Resistance to Bolstering the I.R.S.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/23/us/politics/republicans-infrastructure-irs-tax-gap.html|access-date=2021-07-28|issn=0362-4331}}

Since 2005, the Club for Growth has produced an annual congressional scorecard. Each member of Congress receives a score on a scale of 0 to 100. The Club for Growth awards a Defender of Economic Freedom award to members of Congress who receive a 90% above on the annual scorecard and have a lifetime score of at least 90%.{{cite news|title=Rep. Broun receives Defender of Economic Freedom award|url=http://www.lincolnjournalonline.com/news/2012-05-03/News/Rep_Broun_receives_Defender_of_Economic_Freedom_aw.html|access-date=January 14, 2014|newspaper=Lincoln Journal|date=May 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116133451/http://www.lincolnjournalonline.com/news/2012-05-03/News/Rep_Broun_receives_Defender_of_Economic_Freedom_aw.html|archive-date=January 16, 2014|url-status=dead}} The New York Times described the Club's release of its annual scorecard as "set upon by Republicans like the Oscar nominations list by Hollywood, with everyone dying to know who ranks where, especially in election years".{{cite news|last=Steinhauer|first=Jennifer|title=A Conservative Leader Was Less So in Congress|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/02/us/politics/chris-chocola-of-club-for-growth-was-less-fiscally-conservative-in-congress.html|access-date=January 14, 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 1, 2012}}

The Club's 2015 congressional scorecard was based on 29 House votes and 25 Senate votes. Mike Lee was the only U.S. Senator to receive a perfect score. Ben Sasse was ranked second among U.S. Senators, followed by Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz. On the U.S. House side, John Ratcliffe, Tim Huelskamp, and Scott DesJarlais received perfect scores.{{cite news|last1=Reid|first1=Jon|title=Club for Growth Releases 2015 Congressional Scorecard|url=https://morningconsult.com/alert/club-growth-releases-2015-congressional-scorecard/|access-date=May 2, 2016|publisher=Morning Consult|date=April 29, 2015}}

The Club for Growth Foundation's 2017 Congressional Scorecard was released in February 2018. Andy Biggs, a Republican from Arizona, was the only member of the U.S. House to receive a 100% rating. A total of 29 members of the U.S. House received a score of at least 90%. In the U.S. Senate, Jeff Flake, Pat Toomey, and James Lankford scored 100%, while four other senators scored at least 90%.{{cite news|last1=Persons|first1=Sally|title=Rep. Andy Biggs, lone House member, gets top score on Club for Growth's annual economic scorecard|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/feb/22/andy-biggs-lone-house-member-gets-top-score-on-clu/|access-date=19 March 2018|work=The Washington Times|date=February 22, 2018}}

The Club for Growth's 2018 Congressional Scorecard awarded twenty members of the U.S. House and five U.S. Senators scores of at least 90%. Four U.S. Senators (Jeff Flake, Mike Lee, Rand Paul, and Pat Toomey) and three U.S. Representatives (Justin Amash, Andy Biggs, and Paul Gosar) received perfect scores. Susan Collins received the lowest score among Republican senators while Brian Fitzpatrick and Christopher Smith were the lowest scoring Republican members of the U.S. House.{{cite web |title=Congressional Scorecards |url=https://www.clubforgrowth.org/scorecards/ |publisher=Club for Growth |access-date=4 March 2019}}

In 2004, the Club for Growth's PAC endorsed and supported U.S. Representative Pat Toomey, who challenged incumbent Senator Arlen Specter in the Republican primary in Pennsylvania. The PAC was reported to have collected contributions totaling over {{gaps|$934,000}} for Toomey. It also spent $1 million on its own independent television advertising campaign on Toomey's behalf.{{cite news|last=Fitzgerald|first=Thomas|title=Club for Growth Spends $1m for Toomey|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/harrisburg_politics/Club_for_Growth_Spends_1m_for_Toomey.html|access-date=April 11, 2013|newspaper=Philadelphia Inquirer|date=2010-10-22}} Specter, who had the support of President Bush, the RNC, and Sen. Rick Santorum, defeated Toomey by a narrow margin of 51–49%. Afterward Toomey accepted the position as President of the Club for Growth, where he served until April 2009.

The original Club's PAC supported the electoral bids of freshmen U.S. Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), Doug Lamborn{{cite web|last=Roth|first=Andrew|title=Club for Growth PAC Endorses Doug Lamborn in CO-05|url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=4829|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130414150152/http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=4829|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 14, 2013|publisher=Club for Growth|access-date=January 22, 2013}} (R-CO), Bill Sali{{cite web|last=Roth|first=Andrew|title=Bill Sali and the Minimum Wage|url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=6203|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130414193918/http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/?postID=6203|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-04-14|work=1-1-2007|publisher=Club for Growth}} (R-ID), and Tim Walberg{{cite news|last=Newlin Carney|first=Eliza|title=Tim Walberg Back in His 'Sweet Spot'|url=http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_62/Michigan-Republican-Back-in-His-Sweet-Spot-210479-1.html|access-date=January 22, 2013|newspaper=Roll Call|date=2011-11-21}} (R-MI), who all were elected. Congressional Quarterly wrote that Smith's views did not differ greatly from those of his primary election rivals, but the endorsement of the Club for Growth's PAC "gave him the imprimatur of the most fiscally conservative candidate, and it helped boost him to the top of the campaign fundraising competition."{{cite news|last=Levinson|first=Nathan|title=Anti-Tax Message Helps Push Smith to Primary Win|url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/05/ne_3_antitax_message_helps_pus.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016194555/http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/05/ne_3_antitax_message_helps_pus.html|archive-date=2007-10-16|access-date=January 21, 2013|newspaper=Congressional Quarterly}}

In the 2006 primaries, the Club's PAC recommended to its donors that they support incumbent Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX), the first time the Club's PAC recommended support for a Democrat. Cuellar won the primary race against former Congressman Ciro Rodriguez.{{cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Patrick|title=Conservative unrest fuels Club fundraising: Toomey|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/8127-conservative-unrest-fuels-club-fundraising-toomey/|access-date=April 3, 2006|newspaper=The Hill}} The Club's PAC endorsed four candidates for U.S. Senate, including Mike Bouchard in Michigan, Mike McGavick in Washington, Michael Steele in Maryland, and Stephen Laffey in Rhode Island, who did not win.

Support by the Club's PAC was not a guarantee of success: its candidate Sharron Angle was defeated in the Republican primary in Nevada's 2nd congressional district, although it spent more than $1 million on her campaign.{{cite news|last=Vogel|first=Ed|title=Angle catches Heller Legislative veteran closes former big gap|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Aug-12-Sat-2006/news/9023527.html|access-date=January 22, 2013|newspaper=Las Vegas Review Journal|date=August 12, 2006}} The Club's PAC also supported primary campaigns of Phil Krinkie in Minnesota and Kevin Calvey in Oklahoma, who lost, as did incumbent congressman Chris Chocola in Indiana,{{cite news|last=Lengell|first=Sean|title=Club for Growth targeting 'establishment' GOP candidates|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/may/3/club-for-growth-targeting-establishment-gop-candid/?page=all|access-date=May 3, 2012|newspaper=The Washington Times}} John Gard in Wisconsin, and Rick O'Donnell in Colorado.{{cite news|last=DeGette|first=Cara|title=Club for Growth Revives Lamborn Cash Quest|url=http://coloradoindependent.com/799/club-for-growth-revives-lamborn-cash-quest|access-date=2006-10-18|newspaper=Colorado Independent}}

The Club's PAC supported the reelection of Steve Chabot in Ohio.

The Club's PAC endorsed state senator Steve Buehrer in the special election for Ohio's 5th congressional district to replace the deceased Rep. Paul Gillmor.{{cite news|last=Stacy|first=Dave|title=OH-5: Club For Growth Drops $75k for Buehrer|url=http://blog.cleveland.com/wideopen/2007/10/oh5_club_for_growth_drops_75k.html|access-date=April 11, 2013|newspaper=Cleveland Plain-Dealer|date=October 5, 2007}} Buehrer however was defeated by Bob Latta, the son of former Rep. Del Latta, in the Republican primary in November 2007 by a 44% to 40% margin.

The Club's PAC endorsed Paul Jost, the chairman of the Virginia chapter of the Club for Growth, in the contest to replace deceased Rep. Jo Ann Davis in Virginia's 1st congressional district.{{cite web|url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/pr/?postID=419 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616093842/http://www.clubforgrowth.org/perm/pr/?postID=419 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 16, 2013 |title=Club for Growth PAC Endorses Paul Jost in VA-1 |publisher=Club for Growth |access-date=April 12, 2013 }} In the nominating convention, Jost was defeated by state delegate Rob Wittman.

In Maryland's 1st congressional district, the Club's PAC endorsed state senator Andrew P. Harris against nine term incumbent Wayne Gilchrest. In the February 12 primary, Harris surged to a strong 44% to 32% victory. Gilchrest became the second incumbent Republican to be defeated by a candidate supported by the Club. The first was Rep. Joe Schwarz in Michigan in 2006.{{cite news|last=Catanese|first=David|title=How Bennett got Clubbed|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37010.html|access-date=January 23, 2013|newspaper=Politico|date=May 10, 2010}} Harris was, however, unable to win the general election.

In Georgia's 10th congressional district, the Club's PAC endorsed incumbent Paul Broun who defeated state representative Barry Fleming 71% to 29% in the July 15, 2008, primary election. Broun's victory surprised many political observers.{{cite web|url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002917957|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121195405/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002917957|archive-date=2008-11-21|title=House Incumbents Easily Hold That Line in Georgia Primaries |publisher=CQ Politics |date=2008-07-16 |access-date=2010-07-26}}

In Arizona's 5th congressional district, the Club's PAC endorsed former Maricopa County Treasurer David Schweikert, who narrowly defeated former candidate Susan Bitter-Smith by a margin of 30% to 28%; there were three other candidates.{{cite news|title=Arizona Delegates Watch From Afar as Front-Runners Win Close Primaries|url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002943498&cpage=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202124311/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002943498&cpage=2|archive-date=2008-12-02|access-date=January 23, 2013|newspaper=CQ Politics}} He did not win the general election.

During the 2008 Republican presidential primaries, the Club's PAC was critical of Mike Huckabee, attacking him as the "tax-increasing liberal governor of Arkansas".{{cite news|title=Huckabee foes open their wallets for attack ads|work=Los Angeles Times|date=January 1, 2008|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-money1jan01,1,10456.story?coll=la-politics-campaign|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080113180048/http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-money1jan01,1,10456.story?coll=la-politics-campaign|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 13, 2008}} Huckabee, in turn, referred to the Club for Growth as the "Club for Greed".{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/12/03/huckabee|title=Huckabee?|date=November 26, 2007|magazine=The New Yorker}}

The Club's PAC endorsed in the special election in New York's 23rd congressional district the Conservative Party of New York candidate, Doug Hoffman instead of Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava. With the Club pouring money into Hoffman's campaign, Scozzafava realized that she could not win and withdrew from the race the Sunday before the November 3 special election, endorsing the Democratic candidate Bill Owens.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/09/AR2009110903690.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Political eyes on Republican Scozzafava after conservatives urge her to quit|date=November 10, 2009|access-date=April 30, 2010}} Owens won the election in a district where portions had not had a Democratic congressman since the 19th century.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/nyregion/04district.html|work=The New York Times|title=Conservative Loses Upstate House Race in Blow to Right|first=Jeremy W.|last=Peters|date=November 4, 2009|access-date=April 30, 2010}}

Of the 26 general election candidates endorsed by Club for Growth in 2010, 20 won election.{{cite web|title=CFG PAC Endorsed Candidates |url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/election2010/ |publisher=Club for Growth |access-date=January 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115081102/http://www.clubforgrowth.org/election2010/ |archive-date=November 15, 2012 }} The following chart lists candidates endorsed by the Club:{{cite web|last=Connolly |first=Michael |title=Club for Growth PAC Endorses David Schweikert in AZ-05 |url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/news/?v=bbt&start=81&topic=35 |publisher=Club for Growth |access-date=January 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115113122/http://www.clubforgrowth.org/news/?v=bbt&start=81&topic=35 |archive-date=November 15, 2012 }}

In 2012, the Club for Growth PAC endorsed eighteen congressional candidates, nine of whom won their elections:{{cite news|last=Carter|first=Zach|title=Club For Growth In 2012 Bests Conservative Groups In Candidate Picks, Richard Mourdock Aside|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/12/club-for-growth-2012-candidates_n_2102587.html|access-date=January 22, 2013|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=November 12, 2012}}

With regard to the 2016 Republican presidential primary candidates, the Club for Growth was critical of Mike Huckabee, Chris Christie, John Kasich, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, and Donald Trump.{{cite news|last1=Lovelace|first1=Ryan|title=Club for Growth hits Fiorina on 'concerning level of inconsistencies'|url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/club-for-growth-hits-fiorina-on-concerning-level-of-inconsistencies/article/2576769|access-date=December 1, 2015|publisher=Washington Examiner|date=November 19, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Camia|first1=Catalina|title=Club for Growth hits Mike Huckabee on taxes in new ad|url=http://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2015/05/05/huckabee-taxes-club-for-growth-ad/|access-date=July 6, 2015|work=USA Today|date=May 5, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Kapur|first1=Sahil|title=Donald Trump: Club For Growth Is Attacking Me After Seeking $1 Million Donation|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-06-17/donald-trump-club-for-growth-is-attacking-me-after-seeking-1-million-donation|access-date=July 6, 2015|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|date=June 17, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Reinhard|first1=Beth|title=Jeb Bush Faulted Over Use of Florida Tax Money|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/jeb-bush-faulted-over-use-of-florida-tax-money-1434150351|access-date=July 6, 2015|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=June 12, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Easley|first1=Jonathan|title=Club for Growth claims credit as Trump drops in Iowa|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/257876-club-for-growth-claims-credit-as-trump-drops-in-iowa/|access-date=November 6, 2015|work=The Hill|date=October 23, 2015}} In August 2015, Club for Growth President David McIntosh said that Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, and Ted Cruz are "the real deal candidates, the gold standard of the race," and that while questions remained, Jeb Bush and Scott Walker showed some pro-growth stances.{{cite news|last1=McIntosh|first1=David|title=Rating GOP's pro-growth contenders: Club for Growth|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2015/08/05/gop-debate-pro-growth-candidates-column/31152497/|access-date=August 10, 2015|work=USA Today|date=August 5, 2015}}

In August 2015, the Club for Growth PAC announced it would formally support presidential candidates for the first time, saying the group would bundle donations for Cruz, Rubio, Walker, Bush, and Paul. Club for Growth President David McIntosh said "Five candidates are at the forefront of the Republican presidential field on issues of economic freedom, and the Club for Growth PAC is standing with them to help them stand out from the rest."{{cite news|last1=O'Connor|first1=Patrick|title=Club for Growth PAC Blesses Five GOP Candidates|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/club-for-growth-pac-blesses-five-gop-candidates-1439251198|access-date=August 11, 2015|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=August 10, 2015}} In October 2015, McIntosh said Cruz and Rubio were "the gold standard" of Republican presidential candidates.{{cite news|last1=Kaczynski|first1=Andrew|title=Club for Growth PAC Blesses Five GOP Candidates|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/club-for-growth-president-rubio-and-cruz-are-gold-standards#.nn4ql3mplV|access-date=November 6, 2015|publisher=BuzzFeed|date=October 29, 2015}}

The Club for Growth's Super PAC, Club for Growth Action, was particularly critical of Trump's candidacy, announcing a $1 million Iowa advertising buy against his campaign in September 2015. The Club for Growth Action was the first third-party group to spend significant sums against Donald Trump.{{cite news|last1=Epstein|first1=Reid|title=Super PACS Launch Anti-Trump Ads in Florida, Illinois and Michigan|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/03/02/super-pacs-launch-anti-trump-ads-in-florida-illinois-and-michigan/|access-date=March 3, 2016|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=March 2, 2016}} The Club for Growth announced a $1.5 million advertising buy in Florida in March 2016. The group's advertisements highlighted Trump's support for liberal policies, such as a single-payer health insurance system and tax increases.{{cite news|last1=Rappeport|first1=Alan|title=Donald Trump Threatens to Sue Club for Growth Over Ad Campaign|url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/09/22/donald-trump-threatens-to-sue-club-for-growth-over-ad-campaign/|access-date=October 8, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=September 22, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Confessore|first1=Nicholas|last2=Rappeport|first2=Alan|title=Donald Trump Is Target of Conservative Ad Campaign|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/16/us/politics/club-for-growth-donald-trump-presidential-election.html|access-date=October 8, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=September 15, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Schouten|first1=Fredreka|title=Club for Growth launches ad campaign against Donald Trump in Iowa|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/2015/09/15/donald-trump-club-for-growth-ads-iowa-presidential-campaign/72306172/|access-date=October 8, 2015|work=USA Today|date=September 15, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Adler|first1=Jonathan|title=Donald Trump v. Club for Growth|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/09/25/donald-trump-v-club-for-growth/|access-date=October 8, 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 25, 2015}}

In March 2016, Politico reported that the Club for Growth PAC planned to deny congressional endorsements to any candidates who endorsed Donald Trump's presidential bid before the nomination was actually clinched. The Club's PAC noted that the warning did not apply to those who endorsed Trump after the May 3, 2016, Indiana primary.{{cite news|last1=Everett|first1=Burgess|title=Club for Growth warns against Trump endorsements|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/club-for-growth-trump-220020|access-date=March 3, 2016|publisher=Politico|date=March 1, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Everett|first1=Burgess|title=Club for Growth backs off Trump threat|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/club-for-growth-trump-222794|access-date=July 12, 2016|publisher=Politico|date=May 4, 2016}} Also in March 2016, the Club for Growth PAC endorsed Ted Cruz for president. The Club for Growth PAC had never previously endorsed in a presidential race. According to Club for Growth head David McIntosh, "This year is different because there is a vast gulf between the two leading Republican candidates on matters of economic liberty. Their records make clear that Ted Cruz is a consistent conservative who will fight to shrink the federal footprint, while Donald Trump would seek to remake government in his desired image."{{cite news|last1=Goldmacher|first1=Shane|title=Club for Growth endorses Ted Cruz|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/03/club-for-growth-endorses-ted-cruz-221129|access-date=April 1, 2016|publisher=Politico|date=March 23, 2016}}

In North Carolina's 2nd congressional district, Club for Growth Action opposed incumbent Renee Ellmers without endorsing a specific candidate. She was defeated in the primary.{{cite news|last1=Hudnall|first1=David|title=Weird Club for Growth Attack Ad Hits Renee Ellmers for Supporting Big Sheep|url=http://www.indyweek.com/news/archives/2016/02/09/weird-club-for-growth-attack-ad-hits-renee-ellmers-for-supporting-big-sheep|access-date=January 28, 2017|publisher=Indy Week|date=February 9, 2016}}

The Club for Growth endorsed Bob Gray to represent Tom Price's district after he left to lead the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The group reportedly also bought $250,000 of airtime on Atlanta cable against early Republican front-runner Karen Handel.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/gonzales/club-growth-air-tv-ad-handel-georgia-special|title=Club for Growth to Air TV Ad Against Handel in Georgia Special|date=2017-03-28|website=Roll Call|access-date=2017-03-28}}Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/fEijDiTcRng Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20170329005807/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEijDiTcRng&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{Citation|last=club4growth|title="Trees" GA-06|date=2017-03-28|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEijDiTcRng|access-date=2017-03-28}}{{cbignore}} The special election took place on April 18, 2017, with Republican Karen Handel defeating Gray and winning a runoff election on June 20, 2017, against Democrat Jon Ossoff.

The organization endorsed Ralph Norman in the Republican primary to replace Mick Mulvaney in South Carolina's 5th congressional district. Norman won the primary and went on to defeat Archie Parnell in the general election.{{cite news|last1=Pathé|first1=Simone|title=Club for Growth Steps Into South Carolina GOP Primary|url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/club-growth-steps-south-carolina-gop-primary|access-date=May 19, 2017|publisher=Roll Call|date=May 10, 2017}} The organization also endorsed Christopher Herrod's candidacy in the special election to replace Jason Chaffetz.{{cite news|last1=Super PAC jumps into the 3rd CD Republican Primary|first1=Bryan|title=Super PAC jumps into the 3rd CD Republican Primary|url=http://www.utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/13846-super-pac-jumps-into-the-3rd-cd-republican-primary|access-date=August 4, 2017|publisher=Utah Policy|date=July 24, 2017}}

The Club for Growth PAC endorsed Ohio State Treasurer Josh Mandel in his bid to unseat incumbent Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown in the 2018 United States Senate election in Ohio. Mandel dropped out of the race in January 2018.{{cite news|last1=Yokley|first1=Eli|title=Club for Growth Backs Josh Mandel for 2018 Ohio Senate Race|url=https://morningconsult.com/2016/12/21/club-for-growth-josh-mandel-ohio-senate-race/|access-date=January 3, 2017|publisher=Morning Consult|date=December 21, 2016}}

In the 2019 special election in North Carolina's 9th congressional district, the Club for Growth endorsed state senator Dan Bishop in the 10-candidate Republican primary field.{{cite news |last1=Morrill |first1=Jim |title=Bishop wins endorsement that could mean more outside money in the 9th District primary|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article229431934.html |access-date=2 May 2019 |work=The Charlotte Observer |date=April 21, 2019}} Bishop advanced from the primary and defeated Democrat Dan McCready in the general special election on September 10, 2019.{{cite news |last1=Morrill |first1=Jim |title=Republican Dan Bishop wins NC District 9 GOP primary to face Democrat Dan McCready |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article230335584.html |access-date=4 June 2019 |work=The Charlotte Observer |date=May 14, 2019}}

In the 2019 special election in Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district, the Club for Growth endorsed Fred Keller, who advanced to the general election.{{cite news |last1=Mutnik |first1=Ally |title=Club for Growth PAC Endorses Fred Keller |url=https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/677999/club-for-growth-pac-endorses-fred-keller |access-date=2 May 2019 |work=National Journal |date=April 11, 2019}} Keller won the general special election held on May 21, 2019.{{cite news |last1=Beague |first1=John |title=Pennsylvania Real-Time News Fred Keller to become 12th District's congressman Monday, replacing Tom Marino |url=https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/fred-keller-to-become-12th-districts-congressman-monday-replacing-tom-marino.html |access-date=4 June 2019 |publisher=Penn Live |date=June 1, 2019}}

In the 2019 special election in North Carolina's 3rd congressional district, the Club for Growth endorsed Celeste Cairns in the 17-person Republican primary field. Cairns did not advance to the runoff primary.{{cite news |last1=Pathe |first1=Simone |title=Club for Growth backs a woman in 17-person North Carolina primary |url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/campaigns/club-growth-backs-woman-17-person-north-carolina-primary |access-date=2 May 2019 |publisher=Roll Call |date=April 17, 2019}}

Club for Growth supported the re-election campaign of President Donald Trump, who lost to Joe Biden.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/22/club-for-growth-impeachment-cheney-gonzalez-477410|title=Club for Growth takes aim at impeachment backers Cheney, Anthony Gonzalez|website=POLITICO}}

On April 9, Donald Trump welcomed David McIntosh onstage during a rally in North Carolina. Trump praised McIntosh, stating, "He’s a winner. He’s a fighter. We are undefeated when we work together." McIntosh responded, "You are a great man. … I am so proud to partner with you."{{Cite web |last=Orr |first=Gabby |date=2022-04-27 |title=Trump unleashes his temper on GOP allies over Ohio Senate primary split {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/27/politics/trump-club-for-growth-ohio/index.html |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=CNN |language=en}}

On April 15, Donald Trump officially endorsed JD Vance for the 2022 United States Senate election in Ohio.{{Cite web |last=Andrew J. Tobias |first=cleveland com |date=2022-04-27 |title=Powerful conservative group bashes Donald Trump’s endorsement of J.D. Vance in Ohio Senate race |url=https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/04/powerful-conservative-group-bashes-donald-trumps-endorsement-of-jd-vance-in-ohio-senate-race.html |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=cleveland |language=en}} After this endorsement, Club for Growth continued their negative ad campaign against Vance, and doubled down on April 27 with an ad attacking Vance for negative statements he made about Trump in 2016.{{Cite web |title=Club for Growth Vance ad {{!}} Campaign 2022 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/politics/club-for-growth-vance-ad-campaign-2022/2022/04/27/e7fc389a-f017-470c-9696-d1c8c7afb296_video.html |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=www.washingtonpost.com |language=en}} According to The New York Times' Maggie Haberman, Trump reacted to this advertisement by having an assistant send a three word message to McIntosh, "Go f*** yourself."{{Cite web |last=Bradner |first=Eric |date=2022-04-27 |title=‘It’s created a bit of chaos’: How Trump’s involvement is shaking up the Ohio Senate race {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/27/politics/ohio-senate-republican-primary-trump-vance-endorsement/index.html |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=CNN |language=en}}

David McIntosh, the organization's president, has endorsed Trump for president. The organization has favorably commented about Trump's campaign. Note that not all these races were in swing seats, meaning those in safe seats were highly likely to have won after winning the nomination.

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