RPAC FAQ
Why should I invest in RPAC?
RPAC is the muscle behind NAR. RPAC represents more than 1.3 million REALTORS® that members of Congress want as their friends.
100% of your investment is used to elect candidates at the local, state, and national levels who both understand and support REALTOR® issues. RPAC looks to build the future by putting dollars in places that will help advance the interests of REALTORS®. RPAC is the only political group in the country organized for REALTORS® and run by REALTORS®. RPAC exists solely to support issues important to REALTORS®. Candidates who receive support from RPAC are not selected based on their political party or ideology, but solely on their support of real estate issues. Our legislative allies are members of the REALTOR® Party. The REALTOR® Party supports the issues that are important to you as a REALTOR®, regardless of political party affiliation.
What is a PAC?
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.
How will my investment be used?
100% of your investment is used to elect candidates at the local, state, and national levels who both understand and support REALTOR® issues. RPAC looks to build the future by putting dollars in places that will help advance the interests of REALTORS®. RPAC is the only political group in the country organized for REALTORS® and run by REALTORS®. RPAC exists solely to support issues important to REALTORS®. Candidates who receive support from RPAC are not selected based on their political party or ideology, but solely on their support of real estate issues. Our legislative allies are members of the REALTOR® Party. The REALTOR® Party supports the issues that are important to you as a REALTOR®, regardless of political party affiliation.
Who establishes and implements RPAC policy?
Much of RPAC’s success is due to the high degree of organization that characterizes the REALTORS® Political Action Committee at every level. Leading the National RPAC organization are the National RPAC Federal Disbursement and Fundraising Trustees Committees. The Trustees establish and implement RPAC policy in accordance with the RPAC bylaws and NAR policy as established by the NAR Board of Directors. The Trustees are made up of REALTOR® volunteers from around the nation who are appointed by NAR leadership. Jeffrey Decatur is the 2019 GCAR RPAC Trustee, he can be reached at jeffreydecatur@gmail.com.
How does RPAC establish fundraising goals?
RPAC establishes its fundraising goals through various formulas and criteria. The National RPAC Fundraising Goal is derived from the aggregate total states/territories declare as the amount they intend to raise in voluntary hard and soft dollars annually at the local, state, and national levels. Before a two-year election cycle begins, the Federal RPAC Disbursements Allocation is set by the RPAC Fundraising and Disbursements Trustees Committees during the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo, which is the amount NAR is requesting from states/territories in order to remain effective at the federal level and is based on membership size.
Who may be solicited for RPAC contributions?
According to Federal Election law, RPAC may solicit only individual members—i.e., non-corporate members of NAR and their families. The term “members” means all individuals who currently satisfy the requirements for membership in any one of the local, state, and/or the National Association and regularly pay dues.
Executive, administrative and management personnel of the local, state and/or national associations are also considered under the NAR constitution to be members of the association and may be solicited even though they may not pay association dues.
Are contributions to RPAC tax deductible?
No. Contributions used for political purposes are not tax deductible on your federal income taxes.
Does the National RPAC contribute to state or local candidates?
Under the cooperative agreements in effect between the National RPAC and the state association’s Political Action Committees, the responsibility for making contributions to federal candidates is assigned to the national RPAC, while state association’s Political Action Committees decide which state and local candidates to support.
Can I earmark money to a party or particular candidate?
No. Under Federal Election law, the earmarking of contributions is illegal.
What process do the National RPAC Federal Disbursement Trustees use when determining contributions to candidates?
The RPAC Federal Disbursement Trustees’ policy is to act only on requests sent from state associations and approved by the state trustees. Once the Trustees receive these requests, they have four options: Amend, Approve, Deny or Defer.
Upon what criteria does the National RPAC base its decision to support federal candidates?
1) Recommendations from State RPAC Trustees, 2) NAR congressional voting records and analyses of incumbent members of Congress, and 3) campaign intelligence reports provided by the NAR political and legislative staff.
Will the National RPAC Federal Disbursement Trustees contribute to both candidates in a race?
No. The National RPAC Federal Disbursement Trustees’ policy is to only contribute to one candidate in any given election. However, the use of In-State Reception funds and D.C. Reception Funds does not necessarily count as a dual contribution if a challenger is supported by the National RPAC. Again, these are relationship-building monies.
How much money stays with the state association and how much goes to the National RPAC?
The National RPAC maintains voluntary cooperative agreements with the state association’s Political Action Committees. Each state association decides how they want to raise money and when to send it to National. Regardless of how states choose to meet their goals, 30% of funds raised must be forwarded to NAR for Major Investor Recognition. Each dollar of this 30% that is forwarded to NAR counts toward that state’s goal.
What is the difference between hard (personal) and soft (corporate) money?
Hard money has many restrictions on how it is raised and spent and must be fully reported to the Federal Election Commission. Hard money is raised from individuals, who can contribute up to $2,400 directly to a federal candidate per election and $5,000 to a Political Action Committee, like RPAC, per year. RPAC may contribute $5,000 to a federal candidate per election. RPAC may only accept money from individuals.
Soft money is raised from corporations, associations, unions, and individuals. Federal candidates cannot accept soft money. There are no limitations on the amount of soft money a corporation or individual can contribute, nor is there any limitation on the amount of soft money an organization can spend.
If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please contact us.