Wisconsin REALTORS® Association: Building Lasting Support with Local Endorsements

Building Lasting Support with Local Endorsements

 Nathan Conrad, WRA Director of Local and Grassroots Advocacy  |    July 01, 2024
Polling place sign

What do former Gov. Scott Walker, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, Wisconsin Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein, Wisconsin Rep. Jill Billings, and Wisconsin Sen. Romaine Quinn all have in common?

Other than the obvious response that they all have or currently hold positions of service at our state Capitol and have been supporters of WRA priorities during their tenure, there is one easily missed thing that they all carry in their background.

Each of the people mentioned above has held a locally elected position. From county executive, to mayor, to county board supervisor, to school board member — each of these leaders started somewhere small and grew their influence.

They also hold one more thing in common: before running for a state legislative seat or an executive branch position, they were not afforded the opportunity to be endorsed by a REALTOR® organization.

Why is this important?

Endorsements help both the organization and the candidate define themselves and set up a positive campaign apparatus. The endorsement of candidates — especially those who go on to legislate or govern by winning their races — is a two-way street of affirmation. In one direction, the candidate can tap into resources and garner respect from the organizations and individuals that endorse their campaign platform and eventual actions while in office. In the other direction, the organization gains the respect and gratitude of a candidate who has worked tirelessly to get elected and will understand the importance of the organization’s priorities.

The WRA endorsement process is well known and second to none in its thoroughness. During the 2022 election cycle, the WRA’s win ratio for endorsed candidates was over 98%. Those elected officials were much more apt to take a meeting and listen to the WRA’s advocacy team because they knew they had the support of the organization when they ran for office.

Now, if we look at local elected officials, we are missing an opportunity to create a relationship with a potential future candidate for higher office. While some local associations do endorse candidates for mayor, city council, county board and county executive, it is the outlier and not the norm.

REALTORS® know the biggest deterrent to development is local regulation. Local regulations, such as lot sizes and setbacks, can significantly disrupt the development process and halt the construction of necessary housing, hindering community and economic growth. For instance, when a local elected official opposes growth, they can create obstacles that delay or stop vital housing projects.

If the WRA and all our partner local associations want to make a lasting impact on inventory and good local public policy, we must begin meeting with and endorsing local candidates to have the right people in these offices to fight for REALTOR® priorities.

Is it easy? No. Will we win every race? Probably not. But that does not mean that we should not try. Helping elect the mayors of today will help us when they decide to run for governor tomorrow. If we can build these relationships from the beginning and ensure that these elected officials know and trust REALTORS® as the experts they are, we will be one step closer to ensuring that proper public policy is in place, from the smallest municipality’s city council chambers to the desk of the governor.

Today’s actions provide tomorrow’s results. REALTOR® organizations should begin building processes for local endorsements. In doing so, our organizations will have a direct impact on how regulations at the local level are enacted. While the November general election is right around the corner, what is on the ballot next spring, and how REALTOR® associations decide to engage, can have more impact on the state’s housing crisis because of the nature of local elections. Working on setting up the opportunity to endorse these candidates now can ensure that the next generation of statewide leaders are those we have supported from day one.

Copyright 1998 - 2025 Wisconsin REALTORS® Association. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy   |   Terms of Use   |   Accessibility   |   Real Estate Continuing Education 

WRA Class Rules and Cancellation Policy

WRA classroom policy

  • Check-in opens 30 minutes before class (may vary depending on location).
  • Late students are not allowed into class.

WRA cancellation and refund policy

Virtual/live classes 

  • The WRA reserves the right to cancel the course or event if not filled. Should a course be cancelled, registration fees will be refunded in full.
  • Student cancellations must be in writing prior to the start of the course or event and will be refunded minus a $25 cancellation fee. Some conferences and conventions have additional cancellation and refund restrictions.
  • Registrations cannot be transferred between students or attendees. 
  • Sales pre-license attendance policy: Attendance is mandatory. Missed hours must be made up and cannot be made up until conclusion of the classroom portion of the course. All make-ups must be completed within seven days after the conclusion of the classroom portion of the course. An individual will not receive a certificate of completion for the course until missed hours are completed. An absence of more than two days will result in termination of enrollment in the course with an option to attend the course at a later date or transfer to a distance learning format, which may involve a transfer fee. If absence results in termination of enrollment, no refund will be issued. 
Distance learning programs
  • Sales and broker pre-license students have six months from the date of registration to complete the course.
  • Student cancellations for distance learning programs must be in writing within two weeks of registration and prior to accessing the course work. Students will be refunded minus a $25 cancellation fee.
  • Course materials must be returned at a student’s expense and in reusable and resalable condition. The request for cancellation will not be processed until materials have been received by the WRA.
  • Registrations cannot be transferred between students.

Other WRA products and publications

  • WRA products and publications must be returned at student’s expense within two weeks of purchase. Refunds will not be processed until materials have been received by the WRA in reusable and resalable condition. 

 Technical colleges

  • Returns may be made for a 100 percent credit if made within 30 days of purchase. There will be a 15 percent restocking fee on returns made after 30 days but before 60 days from the date of purchase. No credit will be given on orders 60 days or older or on outdated materials. Technical colleges will be notified of pending publication changes 60 days prior to publication. All products must be returned in reusable condition. 
Special events (WRA Annual Convention, REALTOR® & Government Day, etc.):
  • Special events including the ones listed above may have additional cancellation restrictions. Consult event details on event webpage(s) for policy information. 

Extension policy

  • If additional time is needed to complete a pre-license course, WRA students can purchase a 30-day extension for $30. Pre-license extensions are available for students up to 6 months from expiration date, and multiple 30-day extensions are permitted. 

The WRA reserves the right to revise these policies at any time without prior notice. 

View Terms and Conditions 

Continue

Shopping Cart

Exhibitor Information