In a significant move to bolster its influence on American elections, AFA Action, the governmental affairs affiliate of the American Family Association (AFA), has announced the acquisition of iVoterGuide, a well-respected online voter guide. This strategic partnership aims to amplify the impact of iVoterGuide’s accurate and comprehensive candidate research, equipping more Christian voters to make informed decisions at the ballot box.
Founded in 1977 by Don Wildmon, AFA has long stood as a defender of biblical values, striving to inform, equip, and activate individuals and families to positively transform American culture. For approximately a decade, AFA has collaborated with iVoterGuide, recognizing its crucial role in empowering Christian citizens. Now, this relationship deepens as iVoterGuide becomes a project of AFA Action, promising to significantly expand its reach and effectiveness.
iVoterGuide has earned a strong reputation for its meticulous research and unbiased evaluations of candidates, focusing on core issues important to conservative and Christian voters, such as the right to life, religious liberty, national defense, healthcare, the economy, and border security. In 2020, iVoterGuide demonstrated its considerable influence by covering federal elections across all 50 states, alongside statewide and legislative races in 21 states. Their research encompassed over 8,000 candidates and reached over 3.5 million voters nationwide.
The acquisition by AFA Action signals a new era of growth for iVoterGuide. By the 2022 midterm elections, the partnership aims to extend coverage to statewide and legislative races in 37 states, escalating candidate research to over 12,000 individuals, and educating a projected 5 million voters. Looking ahead to the 2024 presidential election cycle, the goal is to achieve comprehensive coverage of all 50 states, encompassing federal, statewide, and state legislative races, with an anticipated reach of 7 million voters.
This expanded coverage is particularly timely. As the sole nationwide conservative voter guide during Republican Party primaries, the enhanced iVoterGuide will have an even greater ability to influence the candidates progressing to the general election. Given that a significant majority of legislators are determined in party primaries, this partnership holds the potential to shape the political landscape, potentially extending its impact even to federal Democratic Party primaries in the future.
Crucially, the leadership and operational integrity of iVoterGuide will be maintained. Richard Ford, the founder of iVoterGuide, will remain actively involved, joining the AFA Action Board. Debbie Wuthnow, the current president of iVoterGuide, will continue to lead the operation as a Vice President of AFA Action, ensuring the continuity of iVoterGuide’s commitment to accuracy, fairness, and thorough research. The existing iVoterGuide staff and procedures will also remain unchanged, and the coalition partner model will be upheld, preserving vital relationships.
The synergy between AFA Action’s grassroots funding model and iVoterGuide’s targeted outreach to pro-family conservative donors is expected to substantially increase the financial resources available for expansion and voter education. This strategic alliance is poised to make a significant impact on the control of federal and state legislative bodies, as well as executive and judicial races, empowering Christian voters to be effective stewards of their civic responsibility.
Endorsements
“Don Wildmon and Richard Ford are icons in the conservative movement. The unification of AFA Action and iVoterGuide is truly transformative. In this critical moment for American liberty, Christian unity is paramount. AFA Action’s acquisition of iVoterGuide embodies the very unity we need!” – Kelly Shackelford, President & CEO, First Liberty Institute
“For Christians to better exercise their God-given authority as responsible citizens (Romans 13), informed voting is essential. The merger of American Family Association Action and iVoterGuide will be instrumental in guiding Christians to vote wisely, particularly in often-overlooked elections for state legislators, judges, and school boards.” – Dr. Robert Jeffress, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Dallas
iVoterGuide operates as a division of American Family Association Action. AFA Action is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biblical family values within society and government through public policy education and advocacy. AFA Action is also the Governmental Affairs Affiliate of the American Family Association (AFA).
