The UCON PAC is Our Power
The UCON PAC is the one vehicle available to support candidates that support our industry.
UCON Upfront: October 2021, by Kurt Kniffin, Stacy and Witbeck Inc., UCON 2021 President
The UCON PAC is the one vehicle available to support candidates that support our industry.
United Contractors has significant influence on our industry in California today. It is a combination of member support and trust, volunteer talent, and financial resources that make it possible. These funds are generated by the membership in two ways—through our famous Government Advocacy Auction and our Political Action Committee (PAC) funded by direct member contributions. I’d like to take a moment today to focus on the purpose and importance of the UCON PAC.
UCON PAC is the one vehicle we have available to support candidates that support our industry. It’s how we make sure that the interests of UCON and the construction industry are accounted for in government. That is the what of the PAC, now let’s visit the how and why behind your generous support.
How UCON PAC Works for You
The UCON PAC Committee is nonpartisan and has full autonomy over how UCON PAC funds are allocated. Working with the Executive Vice President and UCON’s Chief Lobbyist, the UCON PAC Committee determines which candidates should (and should not) receive financial support from UCON for their campaign based on the following criteria:
Relationship & Ally Building.
The PAC committee spends significant time discussing a candidate or elected official’s relationship to UCON and to our industry as a whole. Even if they don’t see eye to eye with UCON on everything, do they open their door to us and show a willingness to work with us on the most important matters? The committee keeps this in mind, first and foremost, as we strategically build upon our political relationships, old and new.
Long-term Vision.
Part of the UCON PAC’s effectiveness comes from our ability to stay strategically focused on the long-term goals of the organization and our members and build out our support for legislators with this in mind. We support candidates, and in turn, build relationships that matter today as well as years down the road. We always keep in mind the political realities we face, and consider what the political landscape looks like today and for the upcoming elections.
Nonpartisan Decision Making.
UCON’s PAC decisions are made in a nonpartisan fashion. We will consider what party and whichmembers carry the most influence in the state, but we do not give to elected officials in a partisan fashion. We aim to support any candidate, regardless of party, who has proven they are committed to our priorities.
Accountability Scorecard.
With 120 elected officials in the legislature, we pay close attention to which members are truly showing up for us when and where it matters.
What Does NOT Matter:
• Zip code. We don’t make PAC decisions based on the geographic location of elected officials. We support candidates all across the state based on the above criteria.
• Member Influence. We do not support candidates simply because they have a personal relationship to a UCON member. (Although we greatly appreciate those relationships.) UCON PAC dollars are utilized to support our organization’s influence and to maximize impact to ALL of our members, large and small.
I share this with you today, because as much as we ask from all of you, we also have an obligation to use every dollar and every hour of talent that you give us in the most responsible and respectful manner. UCON PAC gives us a voice and access that matters; and especially today, California needs leaders who will listen and care.
