Alabama Realtors Political Action Committee (ARPAC) announced endorsements for Republican and Democratic primaries on May 19, spanning dozens of Alabama House and Senate districts.
Alabama Realtors Political Action Committee (ARPAC) has thrown its support behind a long list of candidates seeking House and Senate nominations in next month’s primaries, framing the move around property rights and a stable housing market.
ARPAC endorsements span Alabama House and Senate races
The endorsements were announced for Republican and Democratic primaries scheduled for May 19.. ARPAC is the political arm of the Alabama Association of Realtors. and its board is using the primary cycle to signal which lawmakers—if elected—are most aligned with its priorities.. In a statement. ARPAC Board of Trustees Chair Sherri McCollum said the endorsed candidates are “deeply connected to their districts” and understand how decisions made in the Legislature affect property owners. families. and local communities.
The ARPAC list includes endorsements for Alabama Senate districts 1 through 35, and also extends through later-numbered districts listed in the announcement.. For example, the group backed Tim Melson (District 1), John Roberts (District 2), Arthur Orr (District 3), and Garlan Gudger (District 4), among others.. It also endorsed candidates such as Steve Livingston (District 8), Wes Kitchens (District 9), Andrew Jones (District 10), and April Weaver (District 14).. The Senate slate continues across additional districts. reflecting ARPAC’s intent to influence a broad slice of the state legislature rather than focusing on only a handful of competitive races.
What ARPAC says it’s rewarding—and why it matters
ARPAC’s endorsement criteria, as described by the organization’s leadership, center on lawmakers’ relationship to real estate policy.. Alabama Realtors Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Walker said candidates earn ARPAC support by demonstrating a commitment to protecting property rights. supporting small businesses. and advancing policies that keep Alabama’s real estate market “strong and stable.”
Those stated priorities point to the political tradeoffs that tend to shape state-level housing and development debates.. When lawmakers take up issues tied to property rights. licensing. local land use. or the regulatory environment surrounding home sales and construction. the practical impacts show up quickly for buyers. sellers. and the small business owners who rely on steady transaction volume.. For candidates. ARPAC’s endorsement functions like a compact: if they want the backing of one of Alabama’s most organized industry constituencies. they must speak to the concerns that move money and confidence in local markets.
The scale of the slate also suggests an effort to shape the debate before general election matchups.. By engaging early in primaries. ARPAC is not only signaling preferred outcomes—it is also narrowing the range of candidates who can credibly claim alignment with Realtors’ policy goals.. That can matter in states like Alabama, where primary elections frequently determine who ultimately gets to govern.
The House endorsement list runs across 100+ districts
On the Alabama House side. ARPAC’s endorsement list is even longer. covering dozens of districts up to at least District 105 in the announcement.. The group endorsed candidates including Phillip Pettus (District 1). Ben Harrison (District 2). Kerry “Bubba” Underwood (District 3). Parker Moore (District 4). and Danny Crawford (District 5).. It also backed Andy Whitt (District 6), Ernie Yarbrough (District 7), Patrick Johnson (District 8), and Scott Stadthagen (District 9).
Beyond those early districts. ARPAC’s House endorsements include candidates such as Cindy Myrex (District 12). Greg Barnes (District 13). Tim Wadsworth (District 14). and Leigh Hulsey (District 15).. The list also features endorsements like Rex Reynolds (District 21), Jeana Ross (District 27), Mack Butler (District 28), and Mark Gidley (District 29).. ARPAC continued with names across later districts. including Craig Lipscomb (District 30). Debra Foster (District 32). Ben Robbins (District 33). and David Standridge (District 34).. In the high-numbered range. the organization endorsed candidates such as Prince Chestnut (District 67). Tashina Morris (District 77). Rolanda Hollis (District 58). and Chip Brown (District 105).
One reason the breadth matters is that it creates a network effect inside the chamber: legislators who share an interest in market stability can coordinate messaging and policy priorities.. When industry-aligned groups endorse widely, they also increase pressure on candidates who may otherwise rely on local reputation alone.
National Association of Realtors also weighs in on select U.S. House races
While ARPAC focuses on Alabama legislative primaries. the announcement also references endorsements by the National Association of Realtors in certain U.S.. House districts.. Those include Shomari Figures (U.S.. House District 2), Mike Rogers (District 3), Robert Aderholt (District 4), Dale Strong (District 5), Gary Palmer (District 6), and Terri Sewell (District 7).. The inclusion of federal races underscores how housing-policy priorities often travel from state capitals to Washington. where regulatory frameworks. funding questions. and housing finance debates can echo back to local markets.
For voters. this blend of state and federal endorsements can offer a clearer lens into how different political layers align with industry concerns.. It also raises the question of whether candidates will treat housing-related policy as a core platform topic or as an issue most relevant only after elections—because organized endorsements usually come with follow-through expectations.
The immediate timeline is straightforward: May 19 primaries are now the deadline for candidates seeking nomination in their districts. and ARPAC’s choices signal which campaigns are most likely to build momentum through Realtors’ networks.. For Alabama political watchers. the endorsements are a reminder that property-related policy is never just technical—it shapes how people build wealth. how communities grow. and how easily families can move into stable housing.