In 1998, the NEMA Board of Governors established the NEMA Political Action Committee (PAC) for the express purpose of supporting individuals representing the pro-business public policy values of the Association and its members. NEMA PAC is solely focused on electroindustry policy issues and supporting pro-business candidates that embrace those policies. As one former NEMA member CEO remarked, “Get into politics, or get out of business.” NEMA PAC offers you the ability to participate and make a difference towards public policies that benefit your company, employees, and economic growth.

How does the PAC make decisions?

Established as a federal separate segregated fund political committee, there is a Board of Directors comprised of member company executives that administers NEMA PAC, and determines which candidates to support based on the following criteria:

The candidate has developed a pro-business agenda;
The candidate is in a tight race;
Must represent a constituency with a NEMA member presence; and
The candidate is important to our legislative agenda.

How does NEMA PAC solicit contributions?

Under the rules promulgated by the Federal Election Commission, NEMA PAC is authorized to solicit NEMA’s restricted class bi-annually and collect no more than $5,000 from any given individual per year.

Who can contribute to NEMA PAC?

The restricted class includes:

With prior approval, restricted class of corporate members;
NEMA Executive and administrative personnel;
Noncorporate members of NEMA; and
Families of all.

What are permissible contributions?

NEMA PAC encourages personal contributions of any amount up to the legal maximum of $5,000.00 per calendar year. These contributions are not tax deductible, and cannot be given from corporate treasury funds, or from foreign nationals.

What has been the PAC's history of engagement?

Since 1998 NEMA PAC has participated in a total 187 House and Senate campaigns, contributing over $142,700.

In 1998 NEMA PAC contributed to 28 candidates, of which 17 were victorious.
In the 2000 election cycle NEMA PAC remained active, participating in 40 contested races, and came out ahead with a record of 30 wins and 10 defeats.
In the 2002 election cycle the PAC engaged in 41 races, with a record of 32 wins and 9 defeats.
In the 2004 election cycle NEMA PAC engaged in House and Senate races with a record of 37 wins and 8 losses. Among those contributions, NEMA PAC participated in raising additional funds for two key Senate races: Richard Burr (R) in North Carolina and John Thune (R) in South Dakota, and the NEMA magnet wire industry raised additional funds for Evan Bayh (D) in Indiana.
In the 2006 election cycle NEMA PAC contributed to 23 House candidates and 10 Senate candidates, with a record 14 wins and 19 defeats.

All PAC contributors receive updates on races and candidate endorsements.

What are the PAC's plans for the 2008 Congressional Elections?

As the campaigns are revving up, NEMA PAC is in the process of targeting races and potential pro-business candidates. We will continue to invest in close contests where our candidate is clearly pro-business. We will not be funding safe incumbents, and we may also arrange fundraisers for pro-business incumbents who look to have a challenging campaign ahead.

For more information contact Kyle Pitsor, NEMA PAC Treasurer, NEMA, 1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1752, Rosslyn, VA 22209, or at 703-841-3274.

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