Quantcast

AQHPac Distributes Money

During the general election cycle, the American Quarter Horse Political Action Committee made contributions to federal candidates.

The American Quarter Horse Association
January 11, 2013

PAC

AQHPac made contributions to federal candidates on both sides of the political aisle who support American Quarter Horse/horse industry initiatives.

Educating members of Congress on the size and scope of the American Quarter Horse industry is crucial to achieving the industry’s legislative goals. AQHA has a powerful voice in Washington, D.C., and wants to make sure it remains strong and continues to grow. That’s why during the general election cycle, the AQHA Political Action Committee, or AQHPac, made contributions to federal candidates on both sides of the political aisle who support American Quarter Horse/horse industry initiatives.

AQHA relied on its Q-Contacts, select industry leaders who have developed a strong working relationship with lawmakers and their staff, to personally distribute PAC checks. AQHA Q-Contacts distributed some $55,000 on the House side and $13,000 on the Senate side.

“This helps build the relationship between AQHA’s Q-Contacts and their federally elected officials,” said Tom Persechino, AQHA executive director of competition and breed integrity.

PACs are the current, mainstream method of campaign financing and provide a way for individuals to pool resources to make a greater impact politically, helping to prevent old-line special interests from dominating the political system. AQHPac is funded by contributions made by individual members. The Pac is not funded by AQHA or corporations – it solely relies on members who want to ensure their horse industry interests are protected on the federal level by supporting candidates sensitive to horse industry needs.

“Well-intentioned but misguided groups are influencing legislators and becoming increasingly more successful at lobbying for legislation that is harmful to the horse industry,” Persechino said. “Many of these groups are well funded and have their own PACs.”

Persechino added that issues the Q-Contacts discussed with elected officials included:

  • Opposing suggested changes to the interstate horse racing act
  • Increasing funding for United States Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services
  • The farm bill
  • Visas to help farmers and ranchers hire workers legally
  • Horse processing

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHAnews on Twitter, watch the AQHA Newscast and visit www.aqha.com/news.