Three years after starting his dealership, Nathan Turner made his first trip to the NIADA Policy Conference this week, pushing for positive change in his industry.
Turner joined nearly 150 dealers and industry members who went to Capitol Hill Tuesday during the NIADA Policy Conference to meet with lawmakers to discuss issues facing the used vehicle industry.
“All of our meetings went great with all the Alabama representatives and [Senator] Tommy Tuberville,” said Turner, the president of Turner Motor Company in Springville, Alabama, who was recently elected to the Alabama Independent Automobile Dealers Association board. “We got a lot of comments about, ‘Let’s get it done.’ If you want to get something done, you have to get in there and work. I enjoy being a younger voice for the industry and look forward to serving.”
Turner, other dealers and industry members talked with Republican and Democratic members of Congress and their staffs on three important issues – Right to Repair, catalytic converter theft prevention and reform of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The NIADA members explained their position on the issues and answered questions from the legislators and staff. NIADA members also left documents describing the association’s position.
“The meetings went well. They asked a lot of good questions,” said Neil Rawls of Georgia Certified Motors in Conyers, Georgia and the Georgia Independent Automobile Dealers Association’s President-elect.
During a visit with dealers, Representative Andy Barr (R-Kentucky) discussed at length his legislation for CFPB reform, which would give Congress the power of the purse over the agency. NIADA voiced its support for his bill during meetings with other legislators.
“It would make the agency responsive to Americans through the people elected to Congress,” Barr said.
Representatives Mike Haridopolos (R-Florida) and Richard Hudson (R-North Carolina) joined NIADA members for lunch at the Library of Congress.
Haridopolos visited Stepanek’s Auto Sales and Service, in Vero Beach, Florida, last month and learned about many of the challenges facing independent dealers.
“You provide opportunity for people that are not in the best situation,” Haridopolos said.
Hudson echoed Haridopolos’ sentiment.
“It’s good to hear from people helping people,” Hudson said. “The association of auto dealers having to come to Washington tells you there’s an issue.”
After the meetings, NIADA members had one final chance to visit with several lawmakers who visited a reception in the House of Representatives’ Budget Committee room in the Cannon Building on Capitol Hill.
Region 2 wins PAC Cup
The NIADA PAC Cup is headed to Region 2.
Led by the efforts on social media by Jack Carter of Turn & Burn Motors, Region 2 collected $24,155 for the PAC during the NIADA Policy Conference. Region 2 edged out reining PAC Cup champion Region 3 by $580.
“Ultimately, we want to raise money to help do the right thing,” Carter said. “We want to get the legislature to support right to repair and other issues.”
Collectively, dealers and industry members raised $104,225 for the NIADA PAC to strengthen the voice of the used vehicle industry in Washington, D.C.
The NIADA PAC, the Political Action Committee of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association, financially supports candidates who support the used auto industry. The NIADA PAC may only make political contributions to candidates for federal office.
“Every dollar donated to the NIADA PAC is an investment in the future of the independent automobile industry. This money is a critical tool that allows NIADA to advocate for commonsense, free market policies in Washington,” said NIADA Director of Government Relations and Compliance Patrick O’Brien.
The PAC Dinner included an address from rising Republican representative Diana Harshbarger from Tennessee. Harshbarger, a pharmacist by trade, voiced support for NIADA on the REPAIR Act, which would empower consumers and promote competition in the automotive repair industry by safeguarding vehicle owners’ access to essential repair and maintenance information, ensuring independent repair shops, parts manufacturers and aftermarket service providers can continue to offer affordable and high-quality services.
“It’s all about choice,” Harshbarger said. “I want to be able to do what I want with my vehicle, or I’ll trade it in and get something that I can work on myself. That’s what people want to do.”
See photos from the 2025 NIADA Policy Conference here.
