CANDIDATE INTERVIEW TOOLKIT
How RPAC Interviews and Recommendations Work… Financial assistance is contributed to the campaigns of individuals running for state, local and national office after a thorough review of the candidate’s background and position on issues of particular concern to property owners and the real estate professional. Input is received from Local Boards and individual members before contributions are made. All funding decisions for State House or Senate candidates are made by the RPAC Trustees. Local Boards may request funds for local candidates out of their Local Board Funds and with proper documentation. The RPAC Trustees also make recommendations to NAR on contribution for federal candidates. It is the recommendation of the KAR's RPAC Trustees that a candidate questionnaire be completed for all open seats and challenger candidates for the House and Senate. A candidate interview is highly encouraged to obtain the answers to the questionnaire in person and if possible, submitted to the KAR Governmental Affairs Director following completion of a request for RPAC funds. Interview Process Recommendations… 1. Email or mail letter inviting candidate to interview (sample attached) 2. Select your interview team/committee. Use your local RPAC Trustees or select an interview team. RPAC recommends bi‐partisan representation for this team/committee. 3. Compile and email questionnaires to interview team/committee in advance if possible. 4. The state candidate interview questionnaire should be used during the interview. This has a brief script that welcomes the elected official, asks questions and a wrap‐up. 5. Meet with the interview/team at least 30 minutes prior to the interview to make any necessary changes to the questionnaire and to decide which committee member should ask each question. 6. IMPORTANT: Ask each candidate the same question! If the committee would like to add/delete questions please do so prior to interviewing. Documents & Forms Sample Letter/Email Invite 2014 State Candidate Questionnaire 2014 State Candidate Interview Questions RPAC Funds ‐ Candidate Request Form New District Maps Guidelines for Contributions Deadlines The KAR RPAC Trustees will be meeting on September 8th. Requests should be submitted by Questions? Please contact: Anetha Sanford, Governmental Affairs Director phone: (859) 263‐7377, fax: (859) 263‐7565 [email protected]DATE NAME ADDRESS
CITY, STATE, ZIP
Dear:
The ___________ Committee of the ________________Association of REALTORS® will interview candidates for the Kentucky General Assembly on ___________________________, at the Association office located at ___________________________________.
The purpose of these interviews is to help the Kentucky Association of REALTORS® determine the possibility of a REALTOR® endorsement and/or financial support. We encourage all
candidates to meet with our Committee to discuss important issues facing the real estate industry and our membership of over _________ – many of whom will be your constituents should you be elected. If you are interested in participating, please contact _____________ at
____________ as soon as possible to schedule your interview.
In addition, please make sure to have completed and returned the enclosed questionnaire prior to the interview. An electronic version of the questionnaire will also be sent to candidates. If you have a conflict that will prevent you from scheduling an interview, the Committee would still be happy to consider your responses to the questionnaire.
Elective office is a noble calling at all levels of government. The _____________ of
REALTORS® and the Kentucky Association of REALTORS® respects and appreciates your desire to serve in the General Assembly. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
NAME
_________ Committee Chair
2014 State Candidate Questionnaire
Candidate Name:____________________________________ Interview Date:___________
In your view, what are the most important issue(s) for the Kentucky General Assembly?
What are your qualifications for this position?
What do you hope to achieve as a legislator?
Have you had any previous experience and/or relationship with the REALTOR®
association? How can we work together to improve the quality of life and the quality of the real estate industry in Kentucky?
How much has your campaign raised thus far? How much cash on hand do you have? What do you expect to expend in this election? Please give some examples of the donors to your campaign. (IE—PAC’s, individuals, etc)
The REALTORS® Political Action Committee, RPAC, is a non-partisan PAC that supports legislators who support the real estate profession in Kentucky. Given the current makeup of the General Assembly, are you willing to work closely with members of the opposite party to achieve what is best for the Commonwealth?
REALTORS® are small business owners working hard in their communities. What is your position on tax relief for small businesses in Kentucky?
What role can REALTORS® have in promoting and enhancing sustainable economic growth in our community and state?
The Kentucky real estate continuing education reform bill, was a legislative priority for KAR during the 2014 legislative session. The proposed bill essentially raises the
continuing education requirements from 6 hours each year to 12 hours each year for real estate licensees with the end goal creating a more professional industry within Kentucky and giving consumer's increased protection through a better educated real estate agent. Would you support increasing continuing education for real estate licensees?
REALTORS® use public property records to gather information on public and private property. The records vary county to county and some areas have considerable more in the way of public documentation than others. Would you be willing to support
legislation that would require an online database for public records?
We can’t expect you to know all of our key issues in detail but we would like to share our statement of policy and guiding philosophy on many issues from Small Business to Appraisal, Tax Reform, Economic Development and much more. We as Realtors® offer the benefits of our experience and technical expertise to the general public and are dedicated to working with legislators to create strong communities by supporting
economic prosperity and creating new housing opportunities, while vigorously protecting the rights of private property owners.
Do you have any questions for us?
Welcome
• Thanks for interviewing; we know your time is valuable. • This is the interview team of the association.
• During our time together, we would like for you to take a few minutes to tell us about yourself and why you want to run (again) – then we will ask you a few questions that we ask of all candidates – then you will have time at the end for any closing remarks.
1. Do you currently have a professional relationship with any REALTORS® in this district? If so, who?
2. What is your opinion of Kentucky’s real estate industry and REALTORS® in this district?
3. KY REALTORS® believe that home ownership is critical to our economy and the quality of like in our communities. With that being said, the Mortgage Interest Deduction (MID) is an important tool that allows 1.2 million Kentuckians the opportunity to own their own home. Placing a cap on this deduction would hurt home ownership. Would you support protecting the MID during future tax reform efforts?
4. The Kentucky real estate continuing education reform bill, was a legislative priority for KAR this past session. The proposed bill essentially raises the continuing education requirements from 6 hours each year to 12 hours each year for real estate licensees with the end goal creating a more professional industry within Kentucky and giving consumer's increased protection through a better educated real estate agent. Currently, Kentucky requires the least amount of CE hours than any state in the U.S. Would you support increasing continuing education for real estate licensees?
5. We can’t expect you to know all of our key issues in detail but we would like to share our statement of policy and guiding philosophy on many issues from Small Business to Appraisal, Tax Reform, Economic Development and much more. We as Realtors® offer the benefits of our experience and technical expertise to the general public and are dedicated to working with legislators to create strong communities by supporting economic prosperity and creating new housing opportunities, while vigorously protecting the rights of private property owners.
Wrap Up
• Thank you again for interviewing with us.
• We will forward our recommendations to our state association, KAR, for consideration. • A decision will be made ____________.
FUNDS REQUEST FOR STATE/LOCAL CANDIDATES
Association Name: _______________________________________________________________________ LIST CANDIDATES (in this race)
Name Party (R/D/I) Interview Date Incumbent (Y/N)
______________________________ ___________ _____________ _____________ ______________________________ ___________ _____________ _____________ ______________________________ ___________ _____________ _____________ ______________________________ ___________ _____________ _____________ ______________________________ ___________ _____________ _____________
Supporting Candidates Campaign Name: ____________________________________________________ Candidates Campaign Address: ____________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ If this is a new candidate, please list their current occupation: __________________________________ Office (PVA, Sheriff, Rep/Senator, etc.): _____________________________________________________ Election Cycle (P-Primary, G-General, S-Special): _____________________________________________ Amount requested: $_____________________________________________________________________ Is this candidate running for the first time? __________________________________________________ Is this candidate a Realtor®? ______________________________________________________________
SIGNATURES
Association Executive: _________________________________________ Date: __________________
Association President: _________________________________________ Date: __________________
