Next year will be a big test for the Engineering Contractors’ Association Political Action Committee with state-wide and local elections and opportunities to elect construction-friendly candidates.

Turnout will be lower than during our last election which means that our contributions to officeseekers will be much more important. With “off-year” (non-presidential campaign) election years, small, strategic contributions can make a BIG difference in terms of local office holders’ success. 2018 will be different

While most of the attention will be focused on up-ballot contests like the race for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by 84-year-old Diane Feinstein and the race to replace 74-year-old Governor Jerry Brown, ECA’s PAC will concentrate its support local pro-job candidates who value and champion the benefits of new infrastructure development, maintenance, and most importantly, the contractors who make these projects possible.

We have been steadily improving our resources for these campaigns and for the future growth of the PAC we are working to develop key sponsors—people and companies who believe in our focus on local, especially local political races—and who are willing to back that effort with contributions to the PAC.

Here’s a partial list of some of the elections we are investigating for possible contributions:

  •  Anaheim – Mayor & City Council
  •  Bakersfield – City Council
  •  Irvine – Mayor & City Council
  •  Kern County – County Board of Supervisors
  • Long Beach – Mayor, City Council
  • Los Angeles County – County Board of Supervisors
  • Orange County – County Board of Supervisors
  • Riverside County – County Board of Supervisors
  • San Bernardino – Mayor & City Council
  • San Bernardino County – County Board of Supervisors
  • Santa Ana – Mayor & City Council

Another thing that makes these races important, beyond the decisions these officials make regarding their local construction projects, is the interlocking nature of the regulatory agencies that can make or break our business lives. Key positions on the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), the regional water boards and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) are filled by local elected officials. We want to be among the supporters of these decision makers.

We know that most of you are too busy (a good thing) right now to pay attention to politics. This is why the ECA PAC exists and this is why we are asking you to become a Platinum Circle or Gold Key Sponsors to increase ECA’s political strength, elect candidates that believe in job creation (economic success) and make politics work for you.

By Scott Salandi, ECA PAC Chair