Club for Growth

Club for Growth
Basic facts
Location:	Washington, D.C.
Type:	501(c)(4)
Affiliation:	Republican
Top official:	David McIntosh, President
Founder(s):	Stephen Moore
Year founded:	1999
Website:	Official website
Connections
•Club for Growth PAC • Club for Growth Action (Super PAC)

The Club for Growth is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that describes itself as "the leading free-enterprise advocacy group in the nation."

The Club for Growth has two political arms, Club for Growth PAC and Club for Growth Action, a super PAC. Stephen Moore founded the Club for Growth in 1999. As of October 2025, it was headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Background

Stephen Moore founded the Club for Growth in 1999. As of October 2025, it was headquartered in Washington, D.C. Before founding the Club for Growth, Moore served as a senior economist at the Congressional Joint Economic Committee and as a senior economics fellow at the Cato Institute. He also advised the National Economic Commission in 1987 and served as a research director for President Ronald Reagan's (R) Commission on Privatization.

As of October 2025, the Club for Growth described itself as "a national network of over 500,000 pro-growth, limited government Americans who share in the belief that prosperity and opportunity come from economic freedom." The organization said it was "the only organization that is willing and able to take on any Member of Congress on policy who fails to uphold basic economic conservative principles…regardless of party. We do this by pinpointing key bills up for debate in Congress and exerting maximum pressure on lawmakers to vote like free-market, limited government conservatives. And when they don’t, we hold them accountable by publicizing their voting record."

Leadership

As of October 2025, David McIntosh was the president of the Club for Growth.

The following individuals were members of the board of directors as of October 2025:

• Virginia James, Chair
• Ken Blackwell
• John Childs
• Terry Considine
• Jim Evans
• Rick Gaby
• Frayda Levin
• David McIntosh
• Howie Rich

Work and activities

Legislative and policy work

As of October 2025, the Club for Growth said its top policy goals were reducing income tax rates; replacing the tax code with a fair/flat tax; repealing the Affordable Care Act; medical malpractice and tort reform; reducing the size of federal government; decreasing government spending and passing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution; regulatory reform and deregulation; and school choice. It used a three-pronged approach to pursue these policy goals.

Key Vote Alerts

These were alerts issued to all congressional offices to inform U.S. senators and representatives of how they should vote on proposed legislation. Click here to learn more.

Congressional Scorecards

The Club for Growth released an annual scorecard in which congressional members were scored based on their votes on issues which impact the U.S. economy, including votes related to income tax, death tax, government spending, Social Security, free trade, tort law, tax policy, school choice, term limits, and deregulation.

As of 2023, the methodology for the Club for Growth's scorecards was as follows:

“

Scores are computed on a scale of 0 to 100. Each vote or action in the rating is assigned a certain number of points depending on its relative importance. Absences are not counted, though the Foundation reserves the right to do so if, in its judgment, a Member’s position was otherwise discernible. To provide some additional guidance concerning the scores, each lawmaker was ranked. Members with 0% scores are, by default, ranked #435 in the House and #100 in the Senate. Scores and ranks cannot be directly compared between the House and Senate, as different votes were taken in each chamber. The study also records a 'Lifetime Score' for each Member of Congress. This is a simple average of the scores from all previous years where the lawmaker earned a score in the Club’s scorecards. In some cases a lawmaker was not present for enough votes for a meaningful score or ranking to be computed. In such cases 'n.a.' for 'not applicable' appears. In computing lifetime scores, years with 'n.a.' listed instead of a score are not included. Comparing such scores to other members without 'n.a.' years may be misleading.

”

Click here to learn more.

Independent Issue Ads

The Club for Growth ran television and radio ads that "expose to constituents the truth about where politicians stand on harmful bills that could raise taxes, increase regulations, and expand the role of the government."

Electoral activities and influence

As of October 2025, the Club for Growth PAC endorsed "limited-government, pro-growth economic conservative candidates for U.S. Congress." Below is historical analysis of the organization's electoral activities and influence.

2018

The Club for Growth PAC endorsed four Texas candidates in open seats that went to Republican primary runoffs: Bunni Pounds for the 5th district, Ron Wright for the 6th District, Chip Roy for the 21st District, and Michael Cloud for the 27th District. All but Pounds were successful.

The Washington Examiner’s David M. Drucker said that while the Club for Growth was "often at odds with the Republican establishment in Washington," the group modified its approach in the primaries to avoid weakening the Republican Party in advance of the November elections.

"Rather than targeting incumbents," Drucker wrote, "the group is focusing its attention on nominating preferred candidates in nine open seats."

2017

Ad buy targeting moderate Republicans

In April 2017, the Club for Growth announced it would begin a $1 million ad campaign targeting moderate Republicans who did not support proposals to amend the American Health Care Act. According to The Washington Post, the organization aimed to convince "more moderate — or less stridently conservative — Republicans to swallow a proposal favored by the House Freedom Caucus that would allow states to seek waivers of several Affordable Care Act insurance mandates." The ad buy's first targeted legislators were Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and Chris Collins (R-N.Y.).

2016

Presidential endorsement

In the 2016 election cycle, Club for Growth PAC endorsed a presidential candidate—Ted Cruz (R)—for the first time in the organization's history. Club for Growth President David McIntosh stated, "Ted Cruz is the best free-market, pro-growth, limited-government candidate in the presidential race." Regarding the first-time move of endorsing a presidential candidate, McIntosh said, "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."

Congressional endorsements

The Club for Growth PAC endorsed the following 2016 candidates:

• d Mary Thomas (R-Fla.): U.S. House, Florida District 2 - Lost in primary
• d Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.): U.S. Senate - Lost in primary
• d Kyle McCarter (R-Ill.): U.S. House, Illinois District 15 - Lost in primary
• d Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.): U.S. House, Kansas District 1 - Lost in primary
• d Mike Crane (R-Ga.): U.S. House, Georgia District 3 - Lost in runoff primary
• Warren Davidson (R-Ohio): U.S. House, Ohio District 8 - Won special election and general election
• Jim Banks (R-Ind.): U.S. House, Indiana District 3 - Won in general
• Pat Toomey (R-Pa.): U.S. Senate - Won in general
• Mike Lee (R-Utah): U.S. Senate - Won in general
• Tim Scott (R-S.C.): U.S. Senate - Won in general
• Ron Johnson (R-Wis.): U.S. Senate - Won in general
• Rand Paul (R-Ky.): U.S. Senate - Won in general
• Marco Rubio (R-Fla.): U.S. Senate - Won in general
• d John Fleming (R-La.): U.S. Senate - Lost in jungle primary
• Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.): U.S. House, Florida District 6 - Won in general
• Ted Budd (R-N.C.): U.S. House, North Carolina District 13 - Won in general
• Rod Blum (R-Iowa): U.S. House, Iowa District 1 - Won in general
• d Scott Garrett (R-N.J.): U.S. House, New Jersey District 5 - Lost in general
• Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.): U.S. House, Arizona District 5 - Won in general
• Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.): U.S. House, Arizona District 4 - Won in general
• Mike Johnson (R-La.): U.S. House, Louisiana District 4 - Won in general

2014

The Club for Growth urged Republicans to wage a campaign to shut down the government unless President Barack Obama (D) agreed to defund the Affordable Care Act. Club for Growth President Chris Chocola said, "Every Republican ran on defunding or repealing Obamacare. This is a test of whether they’re actually going to do what they say they’re for. What’s the more radical thing to do: Continue to spend more and borrow more from China? Or have the confrontation? It’s never going to get any easier."

Endorsed candidates

The Club for Growth PAC endorsed challenger Bryan Smith (Idaho-02) in the Republican primary over incumbent Michael Simpson. Smith was defeated in the primary.

The Club for Growth PAC also endorsed Rep. Tom Cotton (R) in his U.S. Senate bid in Arkansas, challenging Democratic incumbent Mark Pryor. The group referred to Cotton as a "taxpayer hero and a fighter against the Obama agenda." Cotton won in the general election.

2012

Endorsed candidates

The Club for Growth PAC endorsed a number of candidates in the 2012 elections:

• Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.): U.S. Senate
• d Mark Neumann (R-Wis.): U.S. Senate
• Ted Cruz (R-Texas): U.S. Senate
• d Richard Mourdock (R-Ind.): U.S. Senate
• d Josh Mandel (R-Ohio): U.S. Senate
• Tom Cotton (R-Ark.): U.S. House, Arkansas District 4
• Steve King (R-Iowa): U.S. House, Iowa District 4
• d Scott Keadle (R-N.C.): U.S. House, North Carolina District 8
• d Ron Gould (R-Ariz.): U.S. House, Arizona District 4

Targeted candidates

The Club for Growth PAC opposed the following candidates in the 2012 elections:

• d Wil Cardon (R-Ariz.): U.S. Senate
• d Richard Lugar (R-Ind.): U.S. Senate

2012 campaign ads

2012 Campaign Ads
"Wow" (Ariz-Sen)	"Jobs" (Ind.-Sen)	"Know" (Ariz.-Sen)
"Typical" (Ind.-Sen)	"Digger" (Ariz.-04)	"Change" (Wis.-Sen)
A Time For Choosing: Ted Cruz for U.S. Senate	"File" (Ariz.-04)

Notable endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.

Notable candidate endorsements by Club For Growth PAC

Endorsee	Election	Stage	Outcome
Jim Banks  source  (R)	U.S. Senate Indiana (2024)	Primary	Won General
Bernie Moreno  source  (R)	U.S. Senate Ohio (2024)	Primary	Won General
Daniel Cameron  source  (R)	Governor of Kentucky (2023)	General	Lost General
Mary Miller  source  (R)	U.S. House Illinois District 15 (2022)	Primary	Won General
Alexander Mooney  source  (R)	U.S. House West Virginia District 2 (2022)	Primary	Won General
Harriet Hageman  source  (R)	U.S. House Wyoming At-large District (2022)	Primary	Won General
Blake Masters  source  (R)	U.S. Senate Arizona (2022)	Primary	Lost General
Josh Mandel  source  (R)	U.S. Senate Ohio (2022)	Primary	Lost Primary

Affiliations

The Club for Growth has two political arms, Club for Growth PAC and Club for Growth Action, a super PAC.

Related groups

Club for Growth can refer to one of a number of organizations with separate missions and activities. All of the Club for Growth organizations focus on government spending and issues of economic policy, but the separate organizations vary by the degree to which they can and do participate in politics.

Club for Growth related groups
Club for Growth	Club for Growth PAC	Club for Growth Action
501(c)(4)	PAC	Super PAC
Club for Growth can legally participate in political activity in support of or opposition to candidates for office. These political activities cannot be the organization's primary activities and cannot be direct donations to a candidate for office or a candidate's committee. Club for Growth endorses candidates for office and runs advocacy campaigns supporting and opposing candidates based on their stances on government spending and economic policy.	Club for Growth PAC is a federal political action committee. The PAC can spend money in electoral politics by donating to parties or candidates it supports, subject to contribution limits defined by state and federal election agencies.	Club for Growth Action can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money. The group cannot contribute directly to a politician or political party, but it can spend independently to campaign for or against political figures. Club for Growth Action endorses and spends money in races that concern government spending and economic policy.

Finances

The following is a breakdown of the Club for Growth's revenues and expenses from 2016 to 2022. The information comes from the Internal Revenue Service.

Club for Growth financial data 2016-2022

Year	Revenue	Expenses
2016	$8.5 million	$8.9 million
2017	$8.4 million	$9.8 million
2018	$6.8 million	$7.3 million
2019	$9.5 million	$7.2 million
2020	$16.3 million	$12.9 million
2021	$18.7 million	$11.8 million
2022	$17.1 million	$16.4 million

See also

• David McIntosh
• Club for Growth PAC
• Club for Growth Action
• What is an influencer?

External links

• The Club for Growth
• The Club for Growth Facebook page
• The Club for Growth X feed
• The Club for Growth YouTube channel