2025 is beginning to wind down, and as the new year approaches, the election season is already underway. This upcoming spring will bring a wide range of activity at every level, from local village trustee and city council races to county board contests. The same will be true for judicial races at the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Once the first round of elections concludes, Wisconsin will once again be in the national spotlight as a battleground state with congressional races that could determine control of Congress. Of the eight seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, two races will draw the most attention. Both Congressman Bryan Steil and Congressman Derrick Van Orden, who have been endorsed by NAR as REALTOR^® champions, will face tough competition for their seats next November as significant money flows in from both sides.

There will also be several highly targeted races for the state Assembly and state Senate. Early next year, the WRA will begin its rigorous candidate vetting process for open seats. This includes live interviews, with members of local REALTOR^® organizations providing recommendations to the WRA’s RPAC board of trustees for endorsements and financial support.

The same process applies to candidates seeking the governor’s office. After the primaries, the WRA will invite campaigns appearing on the November ballot to participate in interviews. The Strategic Advisory Committee will then provide recommendations to the WRA board of directors — a process that may lead to an endorsement.

One thing all of these races have in common is the importance of endorsements. The WRA has a long history of endorsing candidates, and an endorsement provides more than potential financial support. It also helps engage members to support candidates directly.

This support can come through the WRA Direct Giver program, highlighted in last month’s magazine, as well as through outreach that engages the public in backing candidates who share REALTOR^® priorities.

It is also important to recognize that local associations can get involved in endorsing candidates for local races. Whether it is a small-town mayor with a strong pro-housing record or a slate of county board candidates interested in regulatory reform to increase housing inventory, local endorsements play a vital role in shaping the political landscape.

Many local associations already have templates and plans for endorsing local candidates in 2026. These may include live interviews or questionnaires to learn where candidates stand. Either approach provides valuable insight into which candidates will support REALTOR^® priorities.

The impact of local endorsements cannot be overstated. Local elections often serve as the starting point for future REALTOR^® champions. The city council member your board supports today could become a state assembly representative who prioritizes housing. The county board member backed by your local REALTOR^® association could one day cast the deciding vote in the state Senate on a property rights package.

Starting early creates the best foundation for advancing statewide REALTOR^® legislative priorities. The first and most effective place to begin is by endorsing local candidates who want to make real estate a central part of their political platform.

Is your local association preparing early? Have you considered being part of the decision-making process? Now is the time to get involved.