Anti-Incumbent Super PAC Readies for 2014 Action

The Campaign for Primary Accountability is back in action and setting its sights on defeating incumbent lawmakers in both parties next year.

The super PAC, which mounts challenges to long-term House incumbents in primaries, reportedly spent $3 million last year to defeat several incumbents.

But Curtis Ellis, a spokesman for the PAC, told The Hill the group's efforts in the 2014 elections would be "much more robust."

“We certainly plan to match and exceed what we did last time,” he said.

Among the PACs top targets are Democratic Reps. Charles Rangel of New York and Adam Schiff of California. Rangel was targeted by the group last year and faced a tough primary battle. Schiff, who represents a district in Hollywood, is new to the target list.

Because of its status as a super-PAC, the Campaign for Primary Accountability is not allowed to directly recruit candidates. Instead, it supports viable challengers to long-serving House incumbents who are not likely to face a difficult re-election race in safe districts even though they may be unpopular. The PAC focuses on candidates whose views and voting records may be out of step with their constituents.

Other targets this time around also reportedly include GOP Reps. Lamar Smith of Texas as well as Alabama’s Spencer Bachus and Jo Bonner.

The organization played a key role in defeating Texas Democrat Silvestre Reyes and Ohio Republican Jean Schmidt in 2012, the Hill noted. It also claimed credit for helping to defeat former Pennsylvania Democrat Tim Holden and Illinois Republican Manzullo.