Across the country this week, voters cast their votes in state and municipal elections, from high-profile contests like the New York City mayoral race to key gubernatorial showdowns to local and state ballot initiatives.
Beyond the headlines came good news for real estate: Voters overwhelmingly backed measures and candidates focused on tackling the housing affordability crisis and expanding access to homeownership. The National Association of REALTORS® Advocacy team provided support in key races.
Mobilizing on Ballot Initiatives
Through the Issues Mobilization Program, NAR Advocacy provides grants to state and local REALTOR® associations to organize and manage effective state and local issue advocacy campaigns. One such advocacy campaign was the successful support for New York City Ballot Proposal 3 (Prop 3). The proposal aims to “Simplify review of modest amounts of additional housing and minor infrastructure projects, significantly reducing review time.”
Prop 3 passed with over 55% of the vote (at time of publication), thanks in part to the support of all four REALTOR® associations with jurisdiction in New York City and broad support from organizations throughout real estate and affordable housing.
NAR Advocacy also supported three statewide propositions in Texas aimed at providing property tax relief to homeowners. All three measures passed, earning between 67% and 82% of the vote as of this reporting.
Issues Mobilization grants supported a range of ballot initiatives across the country, with 14 of the 17 NAR-supported positions prevailing. With Tuesday’s results, NAR-supported positions have come out ahead in 18 of 21 races so far in 2025.
Supporting Pro-Housing Candidates
NAR Advocacy is also active in helping state and local REALTOR® associations support specific candidates through independent expenditures. IEs are funds used for advertising or organizing in support of a candidate but are not coordinated with the candidate’s campaign.
Of the active races from election night, several mayoral races saw pro-housing candidates come out on top.
- In Atlanta, Georgia, Andre Dickens won reelection with an overwhelming 85% of the vote. Dickens was endorsed by Atlanta REALTORS® in his successful run for mayor in 2021 as well.
- Kaohly Her of St. Paul, Minnesota, was also successful in her mayoral bid and notably made affordable housing a key component of the campaign.
Looking ahead to the crucial 2026 midterm election cycle, NAR Advocacy has an eye on maintaining the high win rate achieved in 2024, says NAR Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn, when 97% of Congressional candidates endorsed by NAR won their races.
