Pave it PAC
This content first appeared in the Spring 2025 print edition of NAPA Quarterly. Subscribe here.
In 2008, the year NAPA first organized its Political Action Committee, total spending across all candidates running for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives topped out at about $945 million according to data from the Federal Elections Commission (FEC).
In 2024, that spending total was nearly twice as much: $1.88 billion.
The numbers illustrate just one way that the political landscape has changed since NAPA PAC was first established, but the PAC itself has changed, as well.
Between its inception and 2023, NAPA PAC was buoyed by a few more than three dozen contributors, who steadily put up two-year fundraising totals that fell within the $75K to $90K range.
But in the most recent fundraising cycle, 120 donors contributed $140K toward the PAC, thanks to a renewed push from NAPA leaders under the guidance of Vice President for Government Affairs Nile Elam.
It’s also a trend that NAPA Chairman Pat Nelson plans to champion during his tenure.
“I’m excited about the direction of our Government Affairs team and I think the timing couldn’t be better,” Nelson said. “One of the things I’m going to ask the industry to do this year is to invest significantly in the PAC to sustain it going forward. Whether we like it or not, that’s how we get a voice, and that’s how we make an impact on Capitol Hill: through campaign contributions that come through the PAC.”
“It’s an investment. For some folks, that’s 50 bucks and for some people it’s five thousand. It doesn’t matter how much you give – even a small contribution can have huge impact on our future.”
– NAPA Chairman Pat Nelson
Nelson points to the increases in contributions, and in PAC spending, as well as the 15 plant tours NAPA members hosted with members of Congress in 2024 as proof that NAPA PAC is gaining momentum.
“We hadn’t done 15 plant tours in a year in I don’t know how long, and we recently did 10 in a single month,” he said. “What changed? Well, we started making investments in these relationships so that when you pick up the phone, the member of Congress says ‘Yeah, I’d love to come see what you’re paving.’ They remember they had to put on the personalized protective equipment (PPE) and safety glasses and the hard hat: It makes an impression.”
Nelson said NAPA’s steadfast relationship with Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) at the helm of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee in the 119th Congress is another feature of enhanced PAC work.
“He’s going to continue to be our T&I Chairman, and by the way, he’s a huge NAPA fan,” Nelson said. “My hope is that five years from now when everyone in the asphalt pavement industry is sitting down in December and making out the family budget for the next year, that there’s a line item for NAPA PAC.
There’s no reason it shouldn’t be because this is how we make our living. It’s an investment. For some, that’s 50 bucks and for some people it’s five thousand. It doesn’t matter how much you give – even a small contribution can have huge impact on our future.”
TRUMP TRANSITION
President Donald Trump’s second term is kicking into high gear now that his cabinet picks have been confirmed, including Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
NAPA sent a letter to the leaders of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation in support of Duffy, a former Congressman, in January. Duffy’s nomination received unanimous support from the committee ahead of the full vote, which delivered a bipartisan 77-22 result.
“We are thrilled to see the Senate confirm Duffy with overwhelming support to lead the Department of Transportation,” said NAPA Vice President for Government Affairs Nile Elam. “NAPA has already met and shared collateral with his transition team at the agency and we look forward to working with the secretary as hit a pivotal time for highway funding and future program authorization.”
Following the vote, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) congratulated Duffy on his confirmation.
“I want to congratulate Sean Duffy on his confirmation to serve as the next United States Secretary of Transportation. I am confident that under the Secretary’s leadership we can improve America’s infrastructure by focusing our investments on core projects like roads and bridges, streamlining project delivery, and getting the Department back to the fundamental missions of federal transportation programs – moving people and goods safely and efficiently,” Graves said. “President Trump is a builder and a strong supporter of infrastructure, and I look forward to working closely with Secretary Duffy to help carry out the President’s vision for the nation’s transportation network as we begin efforts to craft the next surface transportation bill.”
Interested in hosting a member of Congress at your asphalt plant or job site?
NAPA’s Government Affairs team can help!
NAPA has the resources to support your efforts to build strong relationships with your elected officials while also creating policy champions that will help safeguard the longevity of the asphalt pavement industry. Email Vice President for Government Affairs Nile Elam or Government Affairs Director Mitch Baldwin to learn more.
Meet the GA Team: NAPA brings in new faces for a ‘new’ Congress
