From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office
Former President Donald Trump reclaimed the White House late Tuesday night, delivering a decisive defeat to Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump has promised on "Day 1" to end federal electric vehicle (EV) mandates, a major factor in the nation's decision to deliver him a second election victory.
SEMA played a major role bringing the EV mandate issue to the forefront of the election, using its Driving Force Action SuperPAC to educate American voters on the damage that such policies will cause for the nation's automotive small businesses and consumers.
SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola reacted to the results in a statement. Read the full statement here.
"SEMA celebrates the re-election of Donald J. Trump as president, which promises to deliver to the nation and automotive aftermarket industry a host of important policies wins, including the prospect of tax cuts to support small businesses, a more-fair regulatory environment and most importantly, a Day-1 end to EV mandates, which would have stifled American innovation and hindered an industry whose economic and cultural impact is integral to the American experience," Spagnola said. "We're excited to work with a second Trump administration to advance policies and legislation that will continue to make America a more prosperous and powerful nation."
Trump has also pledged to deliver a new round of tax cuts and push for regulatory relief for businesses.
Meanwhile, Republicans won control of the U.S. Senate after flipping seats in West Virginia, Ohio and Montana. Among the winners was Republican Bernie Moreno, an Ohio car dealership magnate. SEMA was among the very first to endorse Moreno in his campaign to first win his primary, and then defeat three-term incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown.
A number of important races remain uncalled, both at the state and federal levels. SEMA continues to monitor these races, where state legislative bodies hold important sway over a number of issues important to automotive enthusiasts.