From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office
Kim Pendergast, CEO of Magnuson Superchargers, has been appointed chair of the SEMA and PRI Political Action Committee (PAC) following the July meeting of the SEMA Board of Directors. She takes on the role as the industry faces defining policy debates in Washington, D.C., including the fight to preserve the right to modify vehicles, motorized access to public lands and tax policies that help businesses thrive.
The SEMA and PRI PAC is the industry's political voice in Washington and is funded entirely by personal contributions from eligible SEMA and PRI members. Every dollar raised supports candidates who understand the importance of the aftermarket and motorsports communities.
Pendergast brings to the role a distinguished track record of leadership and advocacy on behalf of SEMA and the automotive aftermarket industry. As PAC chair, she will lead the effort to expand donor engagement and ensure SEMA and PRI are well-fortified for the legislative and policy debates ahead.
"We're entering a new phase in our fight for the automotive aftermarket industry," said Pendergast. "The fight against EV mandates showed what we're capable of, but now we need to push even harder for the right to modify, for investment in motorsports, and for policies that support the businesses that drive this industry. The SEMA & PRI PAC is a critical tool for our industry–it's how we remain at the table in our nation's capital and enlist lawmakers to stand at our side on the issues that affect us most. I'm honored to help lead that effort. I thank Norris Marshall for providing the blueprint for PAC success that I intend to follow and expand upon."
Pendergast succeeds Norris Marshall, founder of BluePrint Engines, who guided the PAC through a period of historic growth. Under Marshall's leadership, the PAC significantly expanded its fundraising, influence and reach. Marshall was recently elected Chair-elect of the SEMA Board of Directors.
During his time as PAC Chair, Marshall helped position SEMA and PRI as the leading voices in Washington, D.C., for not only the aftermarket but also for automotive enthusiasts nationwide. With PAC support, the industry secured major victories, including helping drive Congressional action to repeal California's electric vehicle mandate, defending access to public lands, and building the bipartisan relationships necessary to ensure that the aftermarket was removed from the EPA's enforcement priority list.
"Serving as chair of the PAC has been an incredible experience, and I'm proud of how far we've come," said Marshall. "The PAC allowed us to build real relationships in Washington and deliver wins that would have been impossible otherwise, like the end of EV mandates. Kim now has the keys to our industry's future, and I look forward to supporting her efforts to further cement SEMA as a major player in national politics."
"Kim is a passionate and effective advocate, and I'm excited to welcome her as chair of the SEMA and PRI PAC. She's exactly the right leader at the right time," said Wade Kawasaki, executive director of SEMA and PRI PAC. I also want to thank Norris for his incredible leadership. He elevated the PAC's influence in Washington, D.C. and helped deliver monumental wins for our industry."
For more information, contact Christian Robinson, SEMA senior director of state government affairs, at christianr@sema.org.
