Strengthening Ties at All Levels of Government

What sets REALTORS^® apart is our ability to build relationships and consensus – we do this every day to help our clients achieve their dreams of property ownership. Those skills are also the foundation of our advocacy success.

Over the August work period, our Federal Political Coordinators (FPCs) were busy across the country meeting with members of Congress and sharing REALTORS^®’ priorities. They had more than 200 interactions with Senators and Representatives in their districts and states, from in-person meetings, phone calls, meet-and-greet events, and Zoom discussions to backyard barbecues and a pizza-making party.

Once Congress returned to DC, NAR hosted a reception for congressional chiefs of staff. Last Thursday, nearly 50 chiefs joined our Advocacy staff at the NAR office for a casual evening of networking and nonpartisanship.

Meanwhile, Government Affairs Directors (GADs) are working every day on behalf of state and local associations to carry REALTOR^® priorities directly to the elected officials in their area. In July, NAR hosted the largest-ever GAD Institute, with nearly 300 GADs from across the country gathering in Detroit to learn best practices and veteran tips.

When it comes to building relationships with policymakers, we know we can’t wait until we need something. We need to build them now – at every level of government – so we’re ready when it matters most.

The REALTOR^® Party offers many resources for your association to build relationships and your reputation with elected officials. For example, Community Outreach programs help REALTOR^® associations and members become leaders in their communities on development-related issues that affect the real estate industry.

Whether you use these tools to help bring your zoning code into the 21st century, address housing supply and affordability issues, conduct fair housing education and outreach, or create a public gathering place, your association can develop positive working relationships with local and state elected leaders and, together, improve your community.

Through the REALTOR^® Party’s Campaign Services programs, you can help ensure more real estate champions achieve elected office. The State and Local Independent Expenditures (IE) Program provides each state with funds that can be used to support candidates for political office who support REALTORS^® and the real estate industry.

The Candidate Training Academy gives REALTORS^®, REALTOR^®-friendly candidates, and potential candidates an introduction to how to run successful campaigns for public office. It’s a valuable head start in their political journey. And the Best Practices for Choosing REALTOR^® Champions course provides direct assistance to state and local associations that want to identify and help elect candidates who will represent the issues important to REALTORS^®.

Of course, through RPAC, we build relationships with and help elect more candidates who understand and support REALTORS^®’ interests. Many people don’t know that the majority of RPAC funds stay at the state and local levels to support candidates in your communities. In every election cycle, contributions are nearly evenly split between Republican and Democrat candidates.

Our advocacy operation is the envy of Washington due to the strength of our nonpartisan, wide-reaching relationships. Through the REALTOR^® Party, we’re expanding those relationships in every community across the country – and we urge you to get your association involved in this vital work.