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MNR Makes Advocacy Impact at D.C. at REALTORS® Legislative Meetings

By MNR News posted 20 days ago

  

MNR Makes Advocacy Impact at D.C. at REALTORS® Legislative Meetings

Nearly 100 Minnesota Realtors® (MNR) traveled to Washington, D.C. this June for the National Association of REALTORS®' biggest advocacy event of the year. The Minnesota delegation was a true cross-section of our association: MNR's leadership team and staff, local association executives from across the state, national committee members, and many other REALTOR® members who serve as advocacy champions in their own communities. Together, they represented Minnesota's real estate industry on the national stage. 

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What is RLM? 

The REALTORS® Legislative Meetings (RLM) bring together thousands of members in our nation's capital to conduct the business of NAR and unite around a shared cause: advancing the real estate profession through powerful, collective housing policy advocacy. It's part business meeting, part training ground, and a rallying moment for REALTORS® nationwide. 

This year's agenda tackled America's housing affordability and supply crises head-on, with members advancing concrete solutions across four priorities: expanding housing inventory and supply, reforming tax policy, protecting professional representation, and creating new pathways to homeownership. 

Five Realtors in front of the Rayburn Office Building in DC with the sun shining in their face while they smile. All are dressed in professional attire.

Minnesota Comes Together in D.C. 

Minnesota's presence at RLM was felt well beyond the halls of Congress. MNR, St. Paul Area Association of REALTORS® and Minneapolis Area REALTORS® co-hosted a reception for Minnesota attendees, where each association president (Wendy Uzelac – MNR, Aarica Coleman – MAR, Danielle Bickham Pelton – SPAAR) offered a toast thanking members for their advocacy work throughout the year. 

The trip also brought two major honors2026 MNR President Wendy Uzelac and MN-RPAC Trustee Deanna Wiener were inducted into the NAR RPAC Hall of Fame at the $25,000 level; a significant recognition of their career-spanning commitment to REALTOR® political advocacy. 

For the second year in a row, Minnesota held its own caucus at RLM, where members who are NAR Committee representatives shared updates from their respective committee meetings. Many of Minnesota's 59 national committee members and staff attended RLM this year, and several are leading committees as Chair or Vice Chair: 

  • Claire Killen chairs the Small Broker Committee and the Idea Exchange Council for Brokers 

  • Amy Peterson chairs the Housing Opportunities Committee, Smart Growth Advisory Board and Sustainability Advisory Group 

  • Man Huynh serves as Vice Chair of both the MLS Technology and Emerging Issues Advisory Board and the Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee 

These members represent Minnesota with excellence at the national level, shaping policy and programs that ripple back down to every REALTOR® in our state. View a full list of MNR's NAR Committee members & roles here. (NAR log-in required)

Capitol Hill: The Main Event 

If RLM has a centerpiece, it's Capitol Hill Visits. Led by our dedicated Federal Political Coordinators (FPCs), Minnesota attendees met face-to-face with Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, along with other congressional staff from their districts, to promote pro-REALTOR® policies and homeownership. These meetings give our members a literal seat around the table; a chance to discuss with legislators how federal housing policy affects Minnesotans, and to make sure REALTOR® priorities are heard directly by policymakers. 

Minnesota's FPC team connected with their members (or staff) of Congress 

  • Pat Paulson—Rep. Omar 

  • Jen Piller Quade—Rep. Morrison 

  • Mary Lindgren—Rep. Finstad 

  • Deanna Wiener—Rep. McCollum 

  • Mike Hunstad—Rep. Emmer 

  • Laura Lee Berger—Rep. Craig 

  • Man Huynh—Senator Smith 

  • Len Sarvela—Senator Klobuchar 

  • Wendy Uzelac—Rep. Stauber 

  • Geri Theis—Rep. Fischbach
Group of people in an office setting with a blue carpet and world map on the wall behind them.

Jason Miller Elected to National Leadership

MNR Past President (2022) and current Board Member Jason Miller was elected 2027 NAR Region 8 Vice President, a role confirmed at the NAR Board of Directors meeting in D.C. Regional Vice Presidents oversee association work in their region, serve as NAR spokespersons, and chair regional caucuses at NAR's two annual meetings. Congratulations, Jason, Minnesota is proud to have you representing our region at the national level! 

Key Takeaways from D.C. 

Beyond Minnesota-specific news, RLM delivered real momentum on the issues that matter most to our members. NAR President Kevin Brown highlighted Congress’ advancement of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, calling it one of the most significant bipartisan housing packages Congress has considered in years — and crediting REALTOR® advocacy, including the work of Federal Political Coordinators like Minnesota's own, for helping build the support behind it. 

The NAR Board of Directors also voted to hold national dues steady at $156 per member for 2027, and elected its 2027 leadership team, including Christine Hansen as incoming NAR President. MNR is proud to have endorsed both 2027 First VP Pete Kopf and Treasurer Patti Fitzgerald who won their elections and will continue to serve on the leadership team. 

Favorite session by majority: Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and presidential biographer Doris Kearns Goodwin spoke at a general session conversation with NAR CEO Nykia Wright. Goodwin discussed historical leadership, democracy, and how past political figures can inform current events and shape the future. It was an inspiring and deeply engaging session that resonated with many members.  

Why RLM Matters for Minnesota 

RLM isn't just a trip to Washington. It's an opportunity for Minnesota REALTORS® to turn local and state advocacy into national impact. Every conversation on Capitol Hill, every committee update; every relationship built at the Minnesota Caucus and events strengthens our ability to protect property rights and expand homeownership opportunities back home. We're grateful to every Minnesota Realtor® who made the trip, and we'll see you in Washington next year! 


#GovernmentalAffairs
#Advocacy

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