For decades, America’ s automotive community has proven its strength at racetracks, in garages, inside machine shops, and throughout the aftermarket industry. But with more than 70 million automotive enthusiasts across the country, Specialty Equipment Market Association( SEMA) and Performance Racing Industry( PRI) believe that the same community has the potential to become an equally powerful force at the ballot box. In fact, that is the goal behind the return of Driving Force Action, a SuperPAC focused on mobilizing automotive enthusiasts and supporting
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candidates who understand the economic and cultural importance of motorsports, automotive freedom, and the aftermarket industry.
“ Simply put, Driving Force Action is the political voice for the automotive community,” says Lauren Wilbor, Political Director with SEMA / PRI,“ focused on turning out voters in support of candidates who will be champions for small business, automotive freedom, motorsports preservation, workforce development, innovation, and American manufacturing.”
Driving Force Action is separate from SEMA & PRI’ s traditional political action committee( PAC). While a traditional PAC can make direct
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contributions to candidates within federal limits, Driving Force Action cannot contribute directly to candidates. Instead, it can raise unlimited funds from companies and independently communicate with voters about candidates and issues affecting the automotive community. Its return is timely, as a consequential 2026 midterm election will take place in November.
“ This is a critical election,” Wilbor says.“ Midterms don’ t get the same broad attention as the years where we elect a president, but there are some pivotal races at both the state and federal levels, and, also, control of Congress is at stake.”
Rather than concentrating on one issue, Driv-
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PHOTOGRAPHS BY SEMA AND VAN ABERNETHY |