Looking Ahead to 2024 Election in the House and Senate
On February 13, House Republicans saw their already razor-thin majority shrink by one. Former Rep. Tom Suozzi notched a decisive victory for Democrats in the special election to represent New York’s 3rd congressional district, defeating Republican candidate and local Nassau County legislator Mazi Pilip by an eight-point margin. This district was previously represented by disgraced former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.-3), who was expelled from Congress earlier this year. Election analysts expect New York’s 3rd congressional district to have its district lines favorably adjusted for Representative-elect Suozzi in the forthcoming redistricting map, although will likely remain a target for Republicans. While winter weather elements may have played a role in affecting election day turnout, it is interesting to note that voters cited abortion and immigration in exit polling as their two top mobilizing issues. As a result of this special election, Republicans now only have a 219-213 majority, with three current vacancies. This means that on any party-line vote, the House GOP can only afford to lose two members of its conference. NAAPAC is proud to have supported Tom Suozzi in this latest election, given his moderate credentials and good working history with the rental housing industry.
In March, voters in eight states - Alabama, Arkansas, California, North Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, Illinois and Ohio – will head to the polls and cast their primary ballots. NAAPAC is paying particularly close attention to several open-seat races in each of these states. For the first time in recent memory, three NAA members are running for Congress in the same election cycle.
In North Carolina’s open 8th congressional district race, state Representative John Bradford is running in a crowded six-person primary to be the Republican nominee. Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.-8) declined to seek reelection as he is running to be the state attorney general. Bradford has represented the competitive 98th district in North Carolina’s General Assembly for multiple cycles and is a long-standing member of the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association. Bradford knows our industry well as he is the CEO of PetScreening.com and owns a property investment firm. North Carolina’s primary election will take place on March 5.
In Texas’s open 12th congressional district race, state House Majority Leader Craig Goldman is vying for the Republican nomination. He is a member of the Fort Worth Apartment Association and an active partner in several real estate investment companies. Goldman has an impressive list of legislative accomplishments and would be a welcome voice in Congress. Retiring Rep. Kay Granger (R-Tex.-12) a longstanding NAAPAC champion and ally, currently represents this district. Texas’s primary election will take place on March 5.
In Ohio’s open 2nd congressional district race, Charles Tassell is running in a crowded Republican primary with ten other candidates to replace retiring Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio-2). Tassell is extremely knowledgeable about our industry priorities, as he previously served as the Government Affairs Director of the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Apartment Association and is currently the Executive Director of the National Real Estate Investment Association. Ohio’s primary election will take place on March 19.
The importance of sending these three NAA members to Washington cannot be overstated. NAAPAC is already providing all possible assistance to support their campaigns, and we kindly ask you to consider aiding your fellow NAA members as they finish strong in the final weeks of their primary campaigns. If you would like to personally contribute to their respective campaigns, you can do so by using the NAA’s conduit site. Please reach out to Rob Johnson so he can provide you with your conduit site credentials.