As July 4th nears, Americans pause to honor those who serve our country in uniform. But freedom takes many forms. And some of the fiercest defenders of local prosperity are quietly showing up in city council chambers, planning meetings, and policy interviews. They’re armed not with weapons, but with data, conviction, and a REALTOR® pin.
At the Tri-City Association of REALTORS®, advocacy isn’t outsourced. It’s owned.
This year, TCAR's Government Affairs Committee, with Chairman Wayne Langford at the helm, launched its new Key Contact Program: a new initiative that pairs REALTOR® volunteers with specific jurisdictions to improve coordination with our Government Affairs Director. These key contacts are charged with monitoring agendas, attending city or county meetings, building relationships with local officials, and reporting back to the association. In short, they are the front line of housing advocacy in action.
Current key contacts include:
These REALTORS® are doing more than representing their association. They are serving their communities. Many also hold positions on our Government Affairs Committee, RPAC Committee, or Board of Directors. Their firsthand knowledge of local politics makes them better advocates for clients and more informed voices in civic life.
These are not ceremonial roles. They are tactical ones.
By engaging in local government and contributing to TCAR’s Government Affairs, RPAC Committees and even our Board of Directors, these REALTORS® are shaping real outcomes, from development codes to infrastructure plans. And in doing so, they’re becoming more than professionals. They’re becoming civic leaders.
That leadership is about to be tested.
With 38 candidates running for city council seats across the Tri-Cities and West Richland, TCAR’s Government Affairs Committee is preparing for an ambitious round of endorsement interviews. The first wave of meetings is already scheduled for June 20, 25, and 27, with the goal of identifying candidates who not only understand the urgency of the housing crisis, but are ready to do something about it.
As always, our committee will ask the hard questions. What is your plan to address housing shortages? How do you balance infrastructure demands with affordability? Do you believe housing is a right, an investment, or both?
In short, we’re looking for Housing Champions. And when we find them, we’ll proudly endorse them — not just as candidates, but as partners in the future of this region.
To the REALTOR® members who volunteer their time in these civic efforts, who study policy between showings and speak up when it matters most — TCAR salutes you.
Your work might not always make headlines, but it absolutely makes a difference.
Because housing advocacy isn’t a spectator sport.
