American Majority

Background

American Majority is a conservative-leaning national political training institute founded in 2008 that trains future political candidates, activists, and opinion leaders. ^{1 2} The organization was founded with an initial investment from the Sam Adams Alliance. ⁴

American Majority says it has had more than 1,300 training sessions in all 50 states, training about 48,000 candidates and activists. ³ Its trainings focus on promoting limited government and liberty and rejecting government expansion. The organization plans to build a national network of leaders and grassroots advocates and conducted trainings for 4,030 participants in 2016. ⁵

The group says it advocates “true federalism,” and contends that the fight to limit government begins in states and local communities. ^{2 5}

The group does not endorse candidates. But it says the training programs give candidates, campaigns, and activists the tools and technology to see the best policies adopted in the modern political climate. ³

Activity

The organization is based in Purcellville, Virginia, and has staffed offices in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Florida, Illinois, and Texas. ⁴

The organization has four separate programs that are usually one-day seminars: the Candidate Training Program; the Activist Training Program, which includes organizing and training in use of the Freedom of Information Act; the Social Media Training program; and the Campus Training program. ⁴

In 2020, the left-wing Campaign for Accountability filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service and the California Attorney General’s office against American Majority and American Majority Action. The complaints accuse the nonprofits of unlawfully putting more than half of the organization’s expenses toward political activity and concealing donor information from regulators. ⁶

Leaders

Ned Ryun is the founder and CEO of American Majority. He is a former writer for President George W. Bush and also previously worked for his father, former U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun (R-KS). ³

Matt Batzel is the national executive director of American Majority. He was previously the Wisconsin executive director for the group. Previously, he worked as a tax lawyer. ³

Kelly Amorin is the chief financial officer for American Majority. Amorin was previously working in the areas of senior housing and politics. ³

Lonny Leitner is the chief of staff for the national organization and previously was the regional director of American Majority in Minnesota. Leitner previously worked for former U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-TX) and for U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). ³