DISTRACTION: “National doesn’t control endorsements, the local committee does.”
FACT: While local committees initiate endorsements, National RPAC holds veto power. If National objects, the endorsement is canceled and the result is neutrality. By refusing to negate endorsements of anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-diversity candidates, NAR effectively approves them.
One of the most common defenses REALTORS® hear is: “Don’t blame NAR — endorsements are made locally.” That’s only half the story. Yes, state and local RPAC committees screen and recommend candidates, but those endorsements don’t stand alone. For congressional and federal races, National RPAC must approve, and National has the ability to stop endorsements when candidates clearly violate our values and ethics.
Here’s how it works:
- If a local or state PAC endorses a candidate and National disagrees, that endorsement gets canceled out.
- The official result? Neutrality. Neither candidate receives REALTOR® PAC backing.
- If National does nothing, the local endorsement stands — and NAR is complicit.
This means NAR is not a passive bystander. Every time an anti-diversity, homophobic, or discriminatory candidate is endorsed at the state or local level, and National chooses silence, that silence functions as an endorsement.
This practice directly contradicts Article 10 of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, which prohibits discrimination and requires REALTORS® to uphold fairness and equal treatment. Allowing funds to support candidates who openly oppose these principles undermines our credibility, our ethics, and the public trust.
Neutrality is always an option. Endorsing bigotry never should be.
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