News & Issues: Around the Alliance

General Election highlights Alliance support of ‘REALTOR Party’

By James S. Ridge, President/CEO

Suburban REALTORS Alliance

Fall 2008

It would be nearly impossible to miss the fact that we are in the midst of a presidential election year. With the broadcast airwaves already heating up with campaign commercials from both political parties, it’s clear that much is at stake in the upcoming general elections. As both REALTORS and Americans, we will enter voting booths on Nov. 4 knowing that the issues we face will have consequences for the local and national economy, real estate and our lives.

With that said, it must also be stated that REALTORS have friends on both sides of the political aisle. Because the issues we champion at all levels of government tend to benefit the “American Dream” of home ownership, many of our elected officials in Congress and the Pennsylvania General Assembly consistently support the bipartisan “REALTOR Party.” These officials recognize that the housing industry can be a powerful engine for the economy and individual families.

One of the important ways that REALTORS demonstrate their collective support of elected officials who champion our issues is through the REALTORS Political Action Committee (RPAC). As you probably know, decisions regarding which officials receive RPAC contributions are based solely on their positions on real estate issues, rather than their political affiliation. These decisions are not taken lightly.

The RPAC process

After a careful analysis of a legislator’s voting record, RPAC Trustees from each of the nine Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® (PAR) districts meet to consider support of individual candidates. In “open seat” legislative races where there is no incumbent candidate, or in districts where an incumbent has not been supportive of REALTOR® issues, RPAC Trustees and local association board members will interview candidates to determine whether they should receive a contribution.

At the level of state government, RPAC contributes to candidates based on their positions on issues such as property tax reform, the realty transfer tax, professional licensure and protecting property rights. At the federal government level, RPAC support is based on a candidate’s stance on a broad array of small business, housing and property rights issues.

The REALTOR® Party: Who we support

Click on the link below to learn about the candidates that RPAC is supporting in the upcoming elections.

http://www.suburbanrealtorsalliance.com/political/candidateinformation.aspx

Regardless of your political affiliation, it is important for REALTORS to vote in November’s election. Remember, October 6 is the last day to register to vote in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 presidential and general elections. Individuals may register at a county voter registration office or at other designated sites. For information on voter registration, call 1-877-868-3772 or go to www.votespa.com. The site, from the Pennsylvania Department of State, includes a voter registration form that can be downloaded.

For further information about the election, candidates running in specific legislative districts, and RPAC’s support of individual candidates, please visit the Suburban REALTORS Alliance website at http://www.suburbanrealtorsalliance.com/political/voterguide.aspx.