Do you know that we have heroes in our industry? These REALTORS® sacrifice financially so that every REALTOR® has the opportunity to succeed because of successful advocacy.
Many REALTORS® contribute to RPAC. And some REALTORS® make significant contributions to RPAC. But some REALTORS® are RPAC Heroes. These RPAC Major Investors have given consistently overtime and have achieved giving levels worthy being called heroes.
RPAC Heroes help make RPAC the largest business Political Action Committee in South Carolina. RPAC’s primary role is to support candidates for office who will support the REALTORS® Advocacy Agenda. “It takes more than effectively lobbying and engaged members,” Peggy Hill, CEO of the Western Upstate Association of REALTORS®, said. “We have both, and they are important, but it also takes elected officials who have demonstrated they are committed to a fair, open, and vibrant real estate market that is not overburdened by excessive regulation. RPAC is a vital part of our association’s advocacy program and RPAC Heroes are instrumental in our success.”
$50,000
Don Cleveland. Don is Broker-Owner of Buy Lake Hartwell in Anderson, which he formed in 2011 after a long career at Milliken. Don became an RPAC major investor from the beginning of his real estate career and has given $50,000 to RPAC.
$25,000
Loraine Harding. Loraine is an institution in the Oconee County real estate industry and Broker-Owner of Lorraine Harding Real Estate. Lorraine’s leadership as an RPAC Major Investor is an example to others to support their industry as well.
Rusty Garrett. Rusty is Broker-In-Charge of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner Company in Anderson. Throughout his real estate career, Rusty has supported RPAC. His history of contributing has added up, making him an RPAC Hero.
Andy Lee. Andy is Broker-Owner of Lake Keowee Real Estate in Seneca. Like all of our RPAC Major Investors, Andy is committed to the RPAC mission to promote REALTOR® interests in public policy. He received SCR’s REALTOR® Advocate Award in 2021.
Carolann Newton. Carolann is the newest RPAC Hero, surpassing $25,000 just this year. She is Broker-In-Charge of Jackson Stanley Real Estate in Williamston. Carolann also led the REALTOR® team that defeated a proposed $11,000 impact fee in 2021.
What is RPAC?
RPAC stands for REALTORS® Political Action Committee. It is organized under the Federal Election Laws and the South Carolina Ethics Laws and is jointly managed by the National Association of REALTORS® and South Carolina REALTORS®. Its purpose is to be a powerful voice for REALTORS® on issues that affect the real estate industry and the quality of life of all South Carolinians.
By investing in RPAC, REALTORS® help support REALTOR®-friendly candidates for office and help your industry maintain a strong voice in public policy.
These are among the many achievements of RPAC and the REALTOR® advocacy program in the last year:
- Defeat of a $11,200 impact fee in Anderson County
- Passage of legislation establishing qualifications for the office of Register of Deeds in South Carolina
- Passage of legislation prohibiting the use of eminent domain by petroleum pipeline companies in South Carolina
- Passage of legislation updating LIDAR flood maps in South Carolina.
- $398 million in funding for affordable housing programs in the Federal 2022 omnibus funding bill.
- $30 billion in loan authority for rural housing in the US.
- Additional funding for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
- Passage of the FinCEN Beneficial Ownership Rule which requires beneficial owners (foreign and domestic) to provide personal, identifiable information to FinCEN.
- Passage of adaptive reuse legislation for shopping centers in the US.
- Adoption of a new energy efficiency tax credit and rebate program for property owners in the US.
- Reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Passage of the SECURE Notarization Act which provides for electronic notarization of documents in the US. Similar enabling legislation was enacted in South Carolina with the support of REALTORS®.
Shouldn’t you support RPAC? Every dollar matters, and you can start with a contribution of just $25. Contribute to RPAC by clicking here.