A Political Action Committee, or PAC, is a private group organized to provide funding for political campaigns or the promotion of legislation that would benefit the group members. Almost every business and special interest group in the United States has a Political Action Committee to make sure its voice is heard by those making decisions that affect the group’s interests. PACs exist across the political spectrum. There are PACs devoted to doctors, teachers, builders, senior citizens, veterans, hospitals, automobile dealers, the arts and more.

The purpose of a PAC is to protect your interests. NV/RPAC – the Northern Virginia Realtors® Political Action Committee – exists to protect the interests of the real estate profession; in other words, to protect your livelihood. Just as you purchase insurance to protect your family’s health, NV/RPAC is a Realtor’s® business insurance.

NV/RPAC collects contributions from NVAR members. These funds are used to support candidates for Congress, the Virginia General Assembly and local offices, including Fairfax County, Arlington County and the City of Alexandria, who will uphold the interests of our profession. Also, funds may be used to support or oppose a particular issue, such as to urge public support for additional transportation funding. Each personal contribution is split among NVAR (40%), the Virginia Realtors® (30%) and the National Association of Realtors® (30%).

NO. NV/RPAC does not buy votes from politicians. If Candidate A (who supports Realtor® issues) and Candidate B (who is against issues Realtors® favor) are running for the same office, who would you want making decisions about legislation affecting you? With NV/RPAC contributions, we work to elect Candidate A. Once these elected officials are in office, Realtors® and lobbyists have opportunities to educate them about issues important to us.

We work hard to foster strong relationships and keep the lines of communication open with elected officials. We explain to legislators what specific issues mean to the Realtor® community. Elected officials depend on interest groups to educate them on the impact – and unintended consequences – legislation will have on their constituents.

Whether at the federal, state or local level, all funding and decisions on issues are made by Realtors®. NV/RPAC funding is approved by an 11-member board of Trustees appointed by the NVAR Chairman of the Board. These Realtors® may identify themselves as Republicans, Democrats or Independents, yet they put affiliations aside to represent the best interests of the membership.

Candidates receive funding based on their support of Realtor® issues only – not on social issues, political issues, or party affiliation. The NV/RPAC Trustees evaluate candidates through questionnaires, interviews, voting records and committee assignments. NVAR works closely with legislators on committees that deal with real estate issues. By conducting this evaluation, NV/RPAC supports those who will be open to our issues, regardless of political party.

NO. NV/RPAC is bipartisan. Voters determine the political make-up of our elected officials. NVAR works with all of Northern Virginia’s elected officials in order to develop a positive working relationship on behalf of its members.

NO. NV/RPAC helps to elect candidates friendly to the policies and issues supported by our REALTORS members, and is successful in that effort. 

This information is published annually prior to elections in RE+VIEW magazine, in the NVAR News e-mail and on the Government Affairs page of NVAR’s Web site, nvar.com. That list is also available at NVAR events such as the Economic Summit and Convention. All Virginia Realtors® members receive information from RPAC of Virginia, VR’s PAC, prior to the November elections with a statewide list of endorsed candidates. All PAC fundraising information is public, and can be accessed at www.vpap.org.

Some people like to contribute directly to a particular candidate, but they also contribute through NV/RPAC. There really is strength in numbers. The dollars you invest in RPAC are pooled with literally thousands of other contributors to support candidates who understand issues that affect our business.

Absolutely!  Realtors® have had a high percentage of legislative successes. Federally, we have preserved important tax provisions under tax reform that are favorable to independent contractors, like brokers and agents. At the state level, we’ve protected property rights, increased transportation funding and limited POA fees. Locally, we’ve developed a good rapport with elected officials on a host of issues. They contact us to discuss problem areas in the community and look to us to help create workable solutions. This is your NV/RPAC voice at work!

NVAR’s Government Affairs staff members are available to answer questions that you may have about NV/RPAC. We are also available to attend your sales meetings to make a presentation on new laws and issues affecting the industry. Call 703.207.3201 or 703.207.3250 for information.