Capitol Hill

NRCA's political action committee, ROOFPAC, most often supports U.S. Senate and House of Representatives candidates who will be or have been nominated by their respective political parties for the general election. There are times, however, when ROOFPAC becomes involved in a primary election because it is imperative the best candidate for NRCA with the best chance of winning the general election, must, if possible, become the nominee. This scenario unfolded in South Carolina's Republican primary and run-off elections to select a Senate nominee.

Congressman Jim DeMint is the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring incumbent Ernest Hollings (D). DeMint finished second to former Gov. David Beasley (R) in the June 8 primary. But because Beasley received less than the 50 percent needed to win the primary outright, a run-off election was held June 22. DeMint quickly received endorsements from the other two Republican candidates who finished behind him in the primary and went on to handily defeat Beasley in the run-off election.

DeMint became the Republican nominee in part because of support from ROOFPAC and other business PACs, including that of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (for more information, see "NRCA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce," June issue, page 14).

ROOFPAC and the chamber supported DeMint from the beginning of his campaign because of his pro-business record in Congress, as well as his policy agenda and experience. He continues to be the overwhelming choice of business PACs for the general election in his race against Democratic nominee Inez Tenenbaum, state education superintendent, and has a good chance to win in November.

Immigration victory

On June 22, four-term Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah) beat a primary election challenge from an anti-immigration candidate, former Utah state legislator Matt Throckmorton (R). Despite anti-immigration groups pouring money into the district in favor of Throckmorton, Cannon won by a substantial margin—58 percent to 42 percent. This victory was crucial for NRCA and the Essential Worker Immigration Coalition, to which NRCA belongs.

ROOFPAC supported Cannon because he is a vocal advocate of President Bush's guest-worker proposals for alien workers. Cannon recognizes the U.S. immigration system is broken and the complexity of immigration law makes it difficult for roofing contractors to access a sustainable supply of essential workers. For example, the temporary visa program for such workers, H-2B, is capped at 66,000 annually and already has been filled for the entire year. Cannon is not alone among congressional Republicans on this issue, but his defeat at the hands of anti-immigration groups, such as the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), would have had dramatic repercussions for every congressman who favors immigration reform.

Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) has become an anti-immigration leader in Congress and even formed a PAC, Team America, which supported Cannon's primary opponent. Tancredo has been admonished by Republican leaders, but Team America, FAIR and other anti-immigration groups are supporting primary opponents of Arizona Reps. Jim Kolbe (R) and Jeff Flake (R), who, with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), introduced the Border Security and Immigration Improvement Act (HR 2899/S 1461). The bill would create a new visa system to accurately register and permit more foreign workers to work in the United States legally. ROOFPAC is supporting Kolbe and Flake in Arizona's Sept. 7 primary elections.

Bush campaign

The nomination of a presidential candidate by each national political party is the culmination of a series of state primary elections leading up to each party's convention. During the presidential primary season, individuals and PACs can make contributions to campaigns. Once nominated, presidential candidates receive public funding and no longer can receive private contributions.

As it did during the 2000 presidential primary season, ROOFPAC has given to President Bush's campaign by contributing $5,000, the maximum amount permitted under campaign finance law.

Constant support

ROOFPAC is active throughout the two-year election cycle analyzing federal candidates and races around the country with regard to issues important to NRCA and its members. When a primary election is of such importance it will directly affect NRCA's agenda, ROOFPAC will become involved to help influence the outcome.

Craig S. Brightup is NRCA's vice president of government affairs.