State Freedom Caucus Network
The State Freedom Caucus Network (SFCN) is a rightwing 501(c)4 nonprofit pioneered by the Conservative Partnership Institute. Its tagline is "Equipping conservatives to win at home", and it mimics the House Freedom Caucus, a caucus started by far-right conservatives and Tea Party members. It describes itself as being "the first-ever organization working to build, train, and equip state freedom caucuses across the nation."[1]
SFCN President Andrew Roth served as the Vice President of Government Affairs for Club for Growth, a conservative organization that parents a powerful Super PAC.
SFCN has an affiliated PAC: the State Freedom Caucus Action.
Contents
News and Controversies
Republican Infighting Revealed During 2024 State Legislative Primaries
A June 2024 article by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) details how several state's legislative primaries have become another front of an ongoing war against the GOP, waged by the State Freedom Caucus Network. In Idaho, after conflict over budget reforms and committee positions, more moderate Republican leadership fielded candidates to run against current Idaho Freedom Caucus members, with the Idaho Liberty PAC spending $941,000 on ads against four far-right senate incumbents.[2]
Similarly in Montana, Governor Gianforte and other establishment Republican leaders endorsed moderate candidates, as well as used a political action committee to target Montana Freedom Caucus. However, 8 far-right candidates won their GOP primaries, which indicates there will be new members added to the Montana Freedom Caucus.[2]
In the South Dakota primaries, Freedom Caucus-endorsed candidates beat 2 incumbents and won 5 of the 7 races in the state House. The most significant victory for the caucus came when a former Speaker of the House, Spencer Gosch, beat out an incumbent, and also House majority whip, James Wangsness.[2]
Among current Freedom Caucus legislators in South Carolina, the group successfully defended 16 of its 17 seats. This indicates that, in the 2025 legislative session, at least 19 of the 88 Republicans in the 124-member chamber will represent the Freedom Caucus wing of the party.[2]
Opposition to Increasing Police Death Benefits in Wyoming
During the 2024 legislative session in Wyoming, the state's Freedom Caucus split from the rest of the Republican party to fight to prevent the families of police officers killed on duty from receiving an increase in death benefits. The budget amendment sought to increase the benefit 62.5% of the salary to 90%. Freedom Caucus members objected to this bill due to its cost, despite the fact that the impact on the state is only about $20,000 a year, and that only a total of 62 officers have died in the line of duty in Wyoming since 1877.[3][4]
Filibuster to End Medicaid in Missouri
In May 2024, five members of Missouri's Freedom Caucus filibustered the state Senate in an attempt to defund the state's Medicaid program. After 41 hours, the Missouri Freedom Caucus members ended their filibuster, even though they had achieved none of the demands they had previously said needed to be met.[5][4]
The Missouri Freedom Caucus has previously utilized procedural maneuvers to force the legislature into gridlock. According to the Missouri Independent, over the last 30 years, only the COVID-shortened 2020 legislative session saw fewer bills successfully passed than the number passed during the 2023 legislative session. The Missouri Independent attributed this lack of productivity to substantial infighting among the Republican Party due to the state's Freedom Caucus.[6]
Current Members
While some members are made public on the SFCN website, the organization discloses that some opt for anonymity, and therefore total representation may not be shown. Members listed below are those who are currently listed on the SFCN website, or those who were previously listed but have not publicly left the caucus. Additional members are included below when their affiliation can be confirmed through external sources. Former members are those who are no longer in the state legislature, or those who have publicly ended their caucus membership.
As of June 2024: [7]
Arizona
- Jake Hoffman, Chair
- Joseph Chaplik, Vice Chair
- Austin Smith, Secretary/Treasurer
- Jacqueline Parker
- Beverly Pingerelli
- Cory McGarr
- Barbara Parker
- Justine Wadsack
- Rachel Jones
- Anthony Kern
- Alex Kolodin
- Justin Heap
- Laurin Hendrix (not currently listed on SFCN website)[8]
Georgia
- Charlice Byrd, Chair
- Colton Moore, Vice Chair
- Greg Dolezal
- David Clark (not currently listed on SFCN website)
- Emory Dunahoo (not currently listed on SFCN website)[9]
- Brandon Beach (not currently listed on SFCN website)[9]
Former Members
Idaho
- Heather Scott, Co-chair
- Tammy Nichols, Co-chair
- Glenneda Zuiderveld
- Elaine Price
- Brian Lenney
- Mike Kingsley
- Cindy Carlson
- Jacyn Gallagher
- Scott Herndon
- Tony Wisniewski
- Joe Alfieri
- Dale Hawkins
- Dan Foreman (not currently listed on SFCN website)[10]
Former Members
Illinois
- Chris Miller, Chair
- Brad Halbrook, Vice Chair
- Blaine Wilhour
- Dan Caulkins
- Adam Niemerg
- Jed Davis
- David Friess
Louisiana
- Alan Seabaugh, Chair
- Raymond Crews, Vice Chair
- Beryl Amedée
- Julie Emerson
- Blake Miguez
- Dodie Horton
- Kathy Edmonston
- Danny McCormick
- Chuck Owens
- Brett Geymann
- Phillip Trarver
- Rodney Schamerhorn
- Valarie Hodges
Former Members
- Larry Frieman, Vice Chair
Mississippi
(No longer listed on the website as of February 2024)
- Dana Criswell, Chair
- Brady Williamson, Vice Chair
- Steve Hopkins
- Joel Bomgar
- Chris Brown
- Dan Eubanks
Missouri
- Rick Brattin, Chair[11]
- Justin Sparks
- Holly Jones
- Andrew Koenig
- Brian Seitz
- Nick Schroer
- Bill Eigel
- Denny Hoskins
- Mazzie Christensen
- Ben Keathley
- Adam Schnelting
- Brad Hudson
- Bob Titus
- Doug Richey
- Bill Hardwick
Former Members
- Jill Carter[12]
Montana
- Theresa Manzella, Chair
- Jerry Schillnger, Vice Chair
- Barry Usher, Treasurer
- Caleb Hinkle, Secretary
- Steve Gunderson
- Bob Keenan
- Bob Phalen
- Steve Hinebauch
- Steve Galloway
- Bob Brown
- Dan Bartel
- Mark Noland
- Jedediah Hinkle
- Carl Glimm
- Paul Fielder
- John Fuller
- Ron Marshall
- Jane Gillette
- Joe Read
- Braxton Mitchell
- Fiona Nave
Nevada
(No longer listed on the website as of October 2023)
- Jim Wheeler, Chair
- Jill Dickman, Vice Chair
- Andy Matthews
- John Ellison
- Richard McArthur
- P.K. O'Neill
Pennsylvania
- Dawn Keefer, Chair
- David Rowe, Vice Chair
- Paul Schemel, Secretary
- Leslie Rossi
- Barb Gleim
- Perry Stambaugh
- Aaron Bernstine
- Dave Zimmerman
- Joe Hamm
- Stephanie Borowicz
- Mike Jones
- Wendy Fink
- Joe D'Orsie
- Tom Jones
- Joanne Stehr
- Robert Leadbeter
- Charity Grimm Krupa (not currently listed on SFCN website)
South Carolina
- Adam Morgan, Chair
- RJ May, Vice Chair
- Mike Burns
- Bill Chumley
- Patrick Haddon (not currently listed on SFCN website)
- Stewart Jones
- Josiah Magnuson
- Ryan McCabe
- Melissa Oremus
- Ashley Trantham
- Alan Morgan
- April Cromer
- David O'Neal
- Jay Kilmartin
- Joe White
- Jordan Pace
- Rob Harris
- Thomas Beach
- Bobby Cox (not currently listed on SFCN website)[13]
- Steven Long (not currently listed on SFCN website)[13]
Former Members
- Vic Dabney
South Dakota
- Aaron Aylward, Chair
- Tony Randolph, Vice Chair
- Tina Mulally, Secretary
Wyoming
- John Bear, Chair
- Jeremy Haroldson, Vice Chair
- Chris Knapp
- Pepper Ottman
- Scott Heiner
- John Winter
- Rachel Rodriguez-Williams
- Allen Slagle
- Bill Allemand
- Jeanette Ward
- Scott Smith
- Tomi Strock
- Chip Neiman (not currently listed on SFCN website)[14]
Ties to Trump's Former Chief of Staff and Insurrectionist Mark Meadows
Former Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, who started the House Freedom Caucus was brought on as senior partner for the Conservative Partnership Institute, the parent organization of SFCN. Meadows, who self-reports having a role in the creation of SFCN, was investigated for registering to vote in three states. The House also voted to hold Meadows in contempt of Congress for his nonconformity in the January 6 investigations.[15] Meadows attended SFCN's inaugural gala in Atlanta, Georgia.[1]
Funding
State Freedom Caucus Network is not required to disclose its funders but major supporters of its State Freedom Caucus Foundation, can be found through a search of IRS filings. Here are some known contributors:
- Conservative Partnership Institute: $463,748 (2022)
- Consumers' Research: $100,000 (2022)
- Joel And Rachel Bomgar Foundation: $10,000 (2022)
- Quinn Family Charitable Foundation: $2,000 (2022)
- Swenson Family Foundation: $3,000 (2022)
Core Financials
2022[16]
- Total Revenue: $1,082,199
- Total Expenses: $660,473
- Net Assets: $429,664
2021[16]
- Total Revenue: $8,254
- Total Expenses: $316
- Net Assets: $7,938
Personnel
Staff
As of October 2023:[17]
- Andrew Roth, President
- Justin Ouimette, Vice President of Government Affairs
- Greg Price, Director of Communications
- Suanne Edmiston, Arizona State Director
- Mallory Staples, Georgia State Director
- Collin Moseley, Illinois State Director
- Maria Nate, Idaho State Director
- Connie Hair, Louisiana State Director
- Steven Utroska, Mississippi State Director
- Darin Gaub, Montana State Director
- Nick Kerin, Pennsylvania State Director
- Evan Newman, South Carolina State Director
- Jordan Mason, South Dakota State Director
- Jessie Rubino, Wyoming State Director
Former Staff
- Katie Frost, Georgia State Director
- Blake Bassham, Georgia Legislative Director
- Daniel Honchariw, Nevada State Director
- Brooke Powell, Illinois State Director
Board of Directors
As of December 2022:[16]
- Matthew Buckham
- Edward Corrigan
- Mark Meadows
- Andrew Roth
- Patrick Corrigan
- Justin Ouimette
Contact Information
State Freedom Caucus Network
300 Independence Ave SE
Washington, DC 20003
- Website: https://statefreedomcaucus.org/
- Facebook: State Freedom Caucus Network
Articles and Resources
IRS Form 990 Filings
2022
2021
Articles
- Don Wiener, Recent State Legislative Primaries Reveal a GOP at War with Itself, Exposed by CMD, June 17, 2024.
- Don Wiener, Extreme Right State Freedom Caucuses Create Big Headaches for Republicans, Exposed by CMD, May 22, 2024.
- Ed Kilgore, Mark Meadows Wants to Take Your State Capitol Hostage, New York, December 15, 2021.
- David Armiak, Insurrectionist Mark Meadows Flies to Atlanta to Help Launch Far-Right State Caucuses, Exposed by CMD, December 14, 2021.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 David Armiak, Insurrectionist Mark Meadows Flies to Atlanta to Help Launch Far-Right State Caucuses, "Exposed by CMD", December 14, 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Don Wiener, "Recent State Legislative Primaries Reveal a GOP at War with Itself", ExposedbyCMD, June 17, 2024.
- ↑ Khale Lenhart, "Wyoming Freedom Caucus Shows Its True Colors", WyoFile, March 4, 2024.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Don Weiner, "Extreme Right State Freedom Caucuses Create Big Headaches for Republicans", ExposedbyCMD, May 22, 2024.
- ↑ Rudi Keller, "Freedom Caucus Ends Filibuster in Missouri Senate Without Action on Its Demands", Missouri Independent, May 2, 2024.
- ↑ Jason Hancock, "GOP Infighting, Election Year Politics Could Shape 2024 Missouri Legislative Session", Missouri Independent," January 2, 2024.
- ↑ State Freedom Caucus Network, Find Your Local Representatives, "SFCN", accessed June 2024.
- ↑ Camryn Sanchez, "Freshmen Swell Freedom Caucus, Defy Hobbs, Arizona Capitol Times, January 12, 2023.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Ross Williams, "National Right-Wing State-Level Freedom Caucus Launches at Georgia Capitol", December 14, 2021.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Ruth Brown, "Idaho Voters Oust multiple Republican Lawmakers, Including Freedom Caucus Members, Idaho Statesman, May 16, 2018.
- ↑ Elaine Povich, "Freedom Caucuses Push for Conservative State Laws, but Getting Attention Is Their Big Success", Pennsylvania Capital-Star], April 3, 2024.
- ↑ Jill Carter, Tweet, Twitter, May 2, 2024.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Patrick McCreless, "What Is the SC Freedom Caucus Supporting the Abortion Death Penalty Bill? 5 Things to Know", The State, March 15, 2023.
- ↑ Leo Wolfson, "Wyoming's GOP Divide: Freedom Caucus Says It Has the Momentum", Cowboy State Daily, December 7, 2023.
- ↑ Amy B. Wang, Mark Meadows Removed from N.C. Voter Rolls Amid Fraud Investigation, "The Washington Post", April 13, 2022.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 State Freedom Caucus Network, IRS 990 2022, "State Freedom Caucus Network", October 24, 2023.
- ↑ State Freedom Caucus Network, SFCN Team, "SFCN", accessed October 2023.
