The Off Road Business Association (ORBA) has joined the growing number of individuals and associations looking to affect the national elections of key states in hopes that pro-trail candidates will win back the Senate. OHV Enthusiasts now have their own national Political Action Committee or PAC so it was an easy decision for the ORBA Board of Directors to seek support. Offsetting the big money of the environmental movement will be no easy task, but at least the OHV industry is making headway.

Don Amador founder of the Trail PAC explained the scenario in 3 key races in which Pro OHV candidates are facing attacks. George Allen in Virginia, Denny Rehberg in Montana, and Heather Wilson, in New Mexico.  In Wilsons race in New Mexico five “Big Green” groups have formed a coalition to defeat Wilson, who is running for the seat left vacant by Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s retirement. Her Democratic opponent is Rep. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a board member of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance. “That group has a long history of opposing responsible OHV recreation on public lands,” Amador said.

The Trail Political Action Committee (TPAC) was founded as the first national non-partisan political action committee dedicated solely to championing responsible off-highway vehicle recreation on designated roads, trails, and areas on public lands through the electoral and legislative processes. TPAC believes that “all land-use decisions are political decisions.” The TPAC strategic goal is simple. TPAC will contribute to pro-access politicians who will support OHV recreation friendly legislation and oppose anti-access proposals and agency overregulation.

While ORBA is prevented as an association from making a donation to the Trail PAC, it is asking its membership to promote the participation of individuals interested in the protection of OHV users across the United States. If you would like to make a personal donation or find out more information about the Trail Pac please visit:  http://www.thetrailpac.com/index.html.