Skip to content

What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?

PACs have been around since 1944, when the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) formed the first one to raise money for the re-election of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. A Political Action Committee (PAC) is a popular term for a political committee organized by like-minded people for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates. The PAC’s money must come from voluntary contributions from members rather than the member’s dues treasury. PACs represent business, labor or ideological interests. PACs can give $5,000 to a candidate committee per election (primary, general, run-off or special). They can also give up to $15,000 annually to any national party committee, and $5,000 annually to any other PAC. PACs may receive up to $5,000 from any one individual.

Why should I contribute to RPAC?
RPAC is the muscle behind NAR. RPAC represents over 400,000 politically active REALTORS that members of Congress want as their friends. Recent legislative and regulatory successes include:

  • The continued preservation of the mortgage interest deduction.
  • Tax relief benefiting the real estate industry.
  • Improving federal mortgage programs, allowing more families to join the ranks of homeownership.
  • Eliminating burdensome regulations inhibiting environmental quality and healthy real estate markets.

How will my contribution be used?
100% of your contribution is used to elect pro-REALTOR candidates: 70% remains in the state to be used in state and local elections. 30% of your contribution will be forwarded to National RPAC to fund key U.S. House and Senate races. Until your state PAC reaches its RPAC goal 30% is sent to National RPAC to support federal candidates and is charged against your limits under 2 U.S.C. 441a; after the state PAC reaches its RPAC goal it may elect to retain your entire contribution for use in supporting state and local candidates. RPAC is neither a Republican nor a Democratic organization. Your contribution to RPAC is a vote for a pro-REALTOR Congress, regardless of political party.

Source: Realtor.org – https://www.nar.realtor/

RPAC Fundraising
Since 1969, the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) has promoted the election of pro-REALTOR® candidates across the United States. The purpose of RPAC is clear: REALTORS® raise and spend money to elect candidates who understand and support their interests. The money to accomplish this comes from voluntary contributions made by REALTORS®. These are not members’ dues; this is money given freely by REALTORS® in recognition of how important campaign fundraising is to the political process. RPAC doesn’t buy votes. RPAC enables REALTORS® to support candidates that support the issues that are important to their profession and livelihood.

Realtor® Action Center RSS
Realtor Action Center Main Feed

Hot Topic Alert – Drones and the REALTOR® – http://www.realtoractioncenter.com/

3/22/2015 11:00:00 PM
In the early 21st century, the term “drone” was used to refer to UAVs, and the use of drones by the U.S. military was primarily for surveillance and targeted missile strikes. Recently, as inexpensive and lightweight drones have become commercially available to the public, the focus on UAVs has shifted to use by hobbyists and businesses. Click here for more information – Link -http://bearflorida.point2agent.com/Util/Disabled.aspx
Beverly Hills/Los Angeles REALTORS® Defeat Unfair Transfer Tax Proposed for Santa Monica – Link – http://www.realtoractioncenter.com/realtor-party/tools-and-resources/mrp/success-stories.html#santa-monica-ic2015

3/6/2015 12:00:00 AM
In a campaign involving volunteer and professional phone-banking, online advertising, yard signs, direct mailings and door-to-door work, the Beverly Hills/Greater Los Angeles Association of REALTORS® soundly defeated a proposed transfer tax increase that would have hit Santa Monica developers square on the chin. Owners of condos, single-family homes and apartments also would have taken a hit. With a major Issues Mobilization grant from NAR, as well as significant support from the California Association, the 7,000-member association prevented the proposed tax hike from becoming law, setting the stage to defeat similar proposals in other California cities.

Read more about how REALTORS defeated the proposed Santa Monica transfer tax increase.

St Louis Association Responds to Ferguson Violence and Unrest with Innovative Fair Housing Campaign -Link – http://www.realtoractioncenter.com/realtor-party/tools-and-resources/mrp/success-stories.html#slar-div2015

3/2/2015 12:00:00 AM
As the nation was riveted by the violence that followed the Ferguson shooting last summer, relief for the riot-torn suburb of St Louis came from the local REALTOR organization. The 6,600-member St. Louis Association of REALTORS® first helped with deliveries of basic supplies to the citizens of Ferguson. Then, they sought to replace fear with information by using a $5,000 Diversity Grant from NAR to launch a widespread educational campaign, beginning a dialogue about the need for fair housing practices.

Read more about the St. Louis Association’s fair housing campaign in wake of Ferguson unrest.

2015 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo – Link – https://www.nar.realtor/midyear.nsf/

2/11/2015 12:00:00 AM
May 11-16, 2015. The REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo is where NAR members take an active role to advance the real estate industry, public policy and the association. Join us in Washington, DC, for special issues forums, committee meetings, legislative activities and the industry trade show. Click here to register. – Link – https://www.nar.realtor/midyear.nsf/

Hot Topic Alert – What is a Land Bank?

2/4/2015 12:00:00 AM
Land banks have become a popular urban redevelopment tool. The idea behind them is a simple one: a government agency or nonprofit entity is given the authority to acquire, manage, and dispose of surplus properties. The “surplus” may include abandoned, fore-closed, and tax-forfeited properties.
Click here for more information, – Link – http://bearflorida.point2agent.com/Util/Disabled.aspx
Nevada REALTORS® Use Grant and Grassroots Power to Soundly Defeat Proposed Tax on Businesses – Link – http://www.realtoractioncenter.com/realtor-party/tools-and-resources/mrp/success-stories.html#nevada-cc2015

1/29/2015 12:00:00 AM
The 14,000-member Nevada Association of REALTORS® put an Issues Mobilization Grant from NAR, its own well-honed campaign skills and funds, as well as its significant grassroots power to soundly defeat a massive tax on businesses. The tax would have eliminated jobs, as well as slowed the state economy. While the campaign used direct mail, phone banks and email, the most impressive effort was in online advertising. Their Facebook ad received 11.7 million impressions and 1.2 million video plays! In the end, 78 percent of Nevada residents voted against it.

Read more about the Nevada REALTORS® success in defeating a business tax.

Merrymeeting Board (ME) Enhances New Library with Welcoming Outdoor “Reading Garden -Link – http://www.realtoractioncenter.com/realtor-party/tools-and-resources/mrp/success-stories.html#merry-sg2015

1/28/2015 12:00:00 AM
When the small town of Richmond, Maine rebuilt their community library, the local 213-member Merrymeeting Board of REALTORS® stepped forward with an NAR Placemaking Micro-Grant to provide a reading garden and patio to go with it. The funds were used to create a large stone patio with a stepping-stone pathway, a sturdy bench, and shrubbery to anchor the garden. Come spring, hundreds of perennials that townspeople have donated from their own gardens will be transplanted to complete the setting.

Read more about the Merrymeeting Board’s success with a Placemaking Grant.

Update: Your Voices Were Heard!
TRIA Reauthorized! Thank you!
Thank you for taking action on last year’s Call for Action regarding the Reauthorization of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA). Because of your efforts, both the House and Senate carried through on their assurances that reauthorizing this important program would be one of their top priorities in the 114th Congress. It was the very first order of business in the House, and was taken up the following day by the Senate. The bill currently awaits the President’s signature into law.

TRIA provides a crucial framework for economic recovery in the wake of a catastrophic terrorist attack and allows the U.S. to maintain a stable terrorism insurance market so employers can invest in properties, create jobs and insure against losses due to a terrorist attack. The bill that passed is a 6-year reauthorization, keeping the TRIA program going through 2020.

When NAR speaks with one voice, the voice of over 1 million members, it can be a powerful force in protecting and promoting homeownership and property investment. TRIA Reauthorization was a top priority for us in the 114th Congress and with your help we were able to deliver.

Thank you for all that you do,
Chris Polychron, 2015 President

Update: Your Voices Were Heard!
The House of Representatives passed a bill to renew the currently expired tax breaks for the year 2014. H.R. 5771, the “Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014” was passed by a 378-46 margin and will be sent to the Senate for consideration yet this week or next week. NAR did send a letter in support of this bill, we are also continuing to push for an extension which includes 2015. Thanks to your help and the response to the Call For Action we did keep the real estate related provisions in the legislation:

Tax Relief from Mortgage Debt Forgiveness
15-Year Cost Recovery for Qualified Leasehold Improvements
Election to Expense Certain Qualified Real Property
Deduction for Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings.

Back To Top