“KEITH SONDERLING GETS IT”: SEMA BACKS LABOR SECRETARY NOMINEE
-- Letter of support urges swift confirmation by U.S. Senate --
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 16, 2026) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is enthusiastically backing the nomination of Keith Sonderling as Secretary of Labor, submitting a letter of support to the leadership of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions that urges his swift confirmation.
As a public servant, Sonderling, the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) current Acting Secretary, has exhibited the strong leadership qualities needed to oversee one of the federal government's most important agencies, with a keen understanding of labor and employment policy.
“It is vital that the individual who leads DOL be someone who will champion career pathways that support a diverse array of industries, engage with the private sector to train our nation’s evolving workforce, and can connect the dots between the activities that enhance Americans’ lives and the robust, job-creating industries that support them. Keith Sonderling is that individual,” the letter says.
SEMA Senior Vice President for Public and Government Affairs Karen Bailey-Chapman expanded on the letter’s sentiments: “D.C. functions best when our cabinet-level leaders walk the walk, and our experience is that Keith Sonderling gets it – he’s shown serious acumen for understanding how to build up industries where innovation is a direct pathway to sustainable job growth and American prosperity.”
- SEMA connected in person with Acting Secretary Sonderling last week, and we were excited by his passion for the automotive community and knowledge of motorsports and racing.
The automotive aftermarket industry that SEMA represents employs more than 1.3 million Americans and pays wages and benefits in excess of $104 billion; the motorsports industry represents a career path for more than 300,000. These economically significant sectors of the economy employ more Americans than the U.S. airline industry.
ABOUT SEMA
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) serves as a leading voice for the worldwide car culture, representing over 7,000 member companies that create, buy, sell, and use specialty-automotive parts that make vehicles more unique, attractive, convenient, safer, fun, and even like new again. Business member benefits include product development resources, market research, networking, education, legislative advocacy, and more. The Association organizes the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev., and actively supports the career and business opportunities that the aftermarket generates. The industry contributes nearly $337 billion in economic impact to the U.S. economy, supports 1.3 million jobs nationally, and generates nearly $53 billion in parts sales annually. For more information, visit www.sema.org.