After reviewing the candidate’s questionnaire in addition to publicly stated positions on relevant issues, the Candidate Evaluation Task Force will issue invitations to participate in an in-person interview.

Note: The Task Force may not choose to interview every candidate.

The Candidate Evaluation Task Force will make recommendations based on how candidates align with the Association’s advocacy agenda and public policy priorities.

For candidates who do not currently hold public office or are seeking another elected office, the Task Force will consider:

• Stated campaign platform positions
• Responses to the candidate questionnaire
• Answers provided during the in-person interview
• General knowledge of real estate and community issues
• Answers or interviews given to other organizations or news outlets
• Campaign infrastructure and/or likelihood of victory
• Recommendations submitted by association members

In the event that no in-person interview is held, or a candidate does not respond to the questionnaire, the Task Force reserves the right to recommend support for a candidate who is believed to be an asset to REALTORS® and the real estate industry.

In the case of incumbent candidates seeking re-election and/or who have received REALTOR® support in the past, the Task Force may choose to bypass the candidate questionnaire and interview process. In deciding whether to renew support, the Task Force shall consider:

• Voting record on bills impacting the real estate industry
• Sponsorship of pro-industry legislation
• Willingness to work with East Tennessee REALTORS® on public policy issues
• Connection to or affiliation with the real estate industry
• Other service to the association or the community
• Recommendations submitted by association members

East Tennessee REALTORS® acknowledges that all candidates for public office should be considered for support, endorsement, or contributions on the basis of individual merit in the context of the office sought. Accordingly, membership at East Tennessee REALTORS® is not a consideration for support or endorsement.

Local Candidate endorsements and/or campaign contributions are announced after the Board of Directors approves the Candidate Evaluation Task Force's recommendations. Endorsement generally includes acknowledging the endorsed candidate (along with all other endorsed candidates) on the association’s website, running an independent expenditure (IE) campaign on the candidate’s behalf, contributing to the candidate’s campaign through RPAC, or a combination thereof. Other activities may be considered at the discretion of leadership. Endorsement shall not include placing political signage on association property, digital advertising, hosting fundraisers on association property, or individualized outreach from the association to the membership. Generally, the association acknowledges endorsed candidates as a group rather than as individual candidates.

State and federal candidates undergo further approval by corresponding committees at Tennessee Realtors and NAR. East Tennessee Realtors does not publicly endorse state and federal candidates.