TPAC, OHVers, and X-Game Champion Support Dan Sullivan for Senate in Alaska

Dan Sullivan (R) Supports Trail Access

The Trail Political Action Committee (TPAC) works to elect federal candidates who will support legislation and policy that promotes and protects responsible off-highway vehicle recreation on public and private lands.   TPAC is proud to announce its official endorsement and support for Dan Sullivan who is running for the U.S. Senate in Alaska.

Patti Barber, an Alaskan access advocate, states, “I’m voting for Dan Sullivan because he will defend our right to access public lands and waterways for responsible use of natural resources and recreational activities.

Paul Vitrano, VP, Global Government Relations, Polaris, told TPAC , "I met Dan Sullivan last night and told him how important Alaska and public land access for OHVs is to our industry and enthusiasts. He emphasized that access is important to him. He added that he has an ad coming out that will feature a snowmobile enthusiast who supports him."

Sullivan is in a very tight race with incumbent Senator Mark Begich.  In the aforementioned TV ad, four time X-Games medalist Cory Davis recently called out Begich for pretending to be a motorized recreationist.

Davis said, “I’m Cory Davis. As a four time X-Games medalist, I know something about snow machines. That’s why I had a good laugh when I saw Mark Begich pretending to ride one.”

TV AD with X-Game Champion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sveaZ4OpOo8

TPAC joins with Vitrano, Barber, Davis and other pro-trail enthusiasts in the belief that we need legislators back in Washington D.C who understand how unwarranted closures and regulations impact responsible use of public lands.

Dan Sullivan is in a very tight race with incumbent Senator Mark Begich and he needs the support of trail enthusiasts in Alaska and from across the country to help change the current closure paradigm in the U.S. Senate.

Won’t you join the fight to protect our access rights to public lands by making a generous donation today so that TPAC may continue its efforts to endorse and support congressional candidates in key battleground states?

DONATE $25, $50, $100, $200, $300, $500, $1,000 - $5,000 TO ELECT PRO-TRAIL CANDIDATES

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

Dan Sullivan is TPAC’s 6^th officially endorsed senate race where he joins our other endorsed senate races: AR - Tom Cotton, CO - Cory Gardner, MI - Terry Lynn Land, MN -Mike McFadden, and MT - Steve Daines.

TPAC's  "Senate Soon-to-Endorse or Watch List" includes: GA - David Perdue, IA - Joni Ernst, KY - Mitch McConnell, LA - Bill Cassidy, NC - Thom Tillis, NH - Scott Brown, and OR -Monica Wehby.

Thanks for your continued support in the 2014 midterms.  You are making a difference!

Contributions to The Trail PAC will be used in connection with federal elections. Maximum contribution per individual per calendar year is $5,000. Contributions from foreign nationals and corporations are prohibited. Contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Trail Users Endorse Mike McFadden for Senate in MN

The Trail Political Action Committee (TPAC) works to elect federal candidates who will support legislation and policy that promotes and protects responsible off-highway vehicle recreation on public and private lands.   TPAC is proud to announce its official endorsement and support for Mike McFadden who is running for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota.

Minnesota OHV leaders, Tom and Karen Umphress, recently met with Senate Candidate McFadden to show pro-trail support for his campaign and to discuss important federal access and recreation issues.

Mike McFadden, Republican Candidate for the United States Senate in Minnesota, states, “Living in the land of 10,000 lakes, Minnesotans thrive off of their ability to have access to our precious natural resources. Many Minnesotans grew up hunting, camping, fishing and enjoying everything that our great state has to offer and it is vital they continue to be able to enjoy public land without government intrusion. Time and time again, regulations threaten Minnesotans’ ability to experience nature and everything that comes with it. Those who spend time in Minnesota’s wilderness are the biggest supporters of ensuring that it retains its beauty and access for years to come. The Minnesotans that I have met along the campaign trail truly understand what it means to be a good steward of our environment. Sportsmen and riders who use public trails realize that it is vital to preserve the beauty of our state for future generations’ enjoyment as well.”

Tom and Karen Umphress believe the Senatorial race in MN this year is less about Republican vs. Democrat and more about a person who cares about Minnesota, the United States, and the People.

For 5 years, Tom and Karen have tried to talk with Senator Franken or his staff.  Unfortunately, they never got past the receptionist.  Senator Franken is the only currently seated U.S. Legislator from Minnesota who has refused to meet with them as his constituents.

Tom and Karen say that Mike McFadden is the clear choice for those people who support trails and our natural environment.  TPAC agrees!

TPAC's officially endorsed senate races to date are: AR - Tom Cotton, CO - Cory Gardner, MI - Terry Lynn Land, MN -Mike McFadden, and MT - Steve Daines.

TPAC’s  "Senate Soon-to-Endorse or Watch List" has been expanded to include: AK - Dan Sullivan, GA - David Perdue, IA - Joni Ernst, KY - Mitch McConnell, LA - Bill Cassidy, NC - Thom Tillis, NH - Scott Brown, and OR -Monica Wehby.

TPAC believes an organized and enthused OHV user base can play a significant role in who goes back to Washington D.C. on November 4.   Your robust participation/support in key targeted races will help ensure our continued ability to enjoy high quality motorized recreation on public and private lands.

The POWER of One Vote

Dear Off-Road Voter,

The Trail PAC was formed to help empower the off-road voter by pooling resources so that we can send more pro-trail candidates to Congress and by encouraging OHV enthusiasts to use the "power of ONE vote" to defend and protect our continued recreational access to public and private lands.

TPAC believes that many of our battleground races will be decided by less than 1,000 votes.  For example, in the 2004 Washington State Gubernatorial race, Democrat Christine Gregoire defeated Republican Dino Rossi by just over 130 votes. 

In 2006, incumbent Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman was ultimately beaten by Saturday Night Live's comedian, Al Franken.  Franken won by just 312 votes. Off-road voters in Nevada played a key role in 2012 by helping TPAC endorsed senate candidate, Dean Heller, defeat the LCV endorsed Shelly Berkley by just over 1%.

As you can see, an organized and enthused OHV user base that shows up at the ballot box on Election Day can play a significant role in who goes back to Washington D.C. on November 4.   Your robust participation/support in key targeted races will help ensure our continued ability to enjoy high quality motorized recreation on public lands.

DONATE $25 - $5,000 TO HELP SEND PRO-TRAIL CANDIDATES TO CONGRESS 

CAMPAIGN WATCH UPDATE - The Trail PAC has added the Scott Brown for Senate campaign in New Hampshire to our list of key races to monitor and potentially endorse.  His opponent, Jeanne Shaheen, received a 100% score from the Green Lobby's League of Conservation Voters (LCV) for her support of their legislative proposals in 2013.  In contrast, the LCV gave Brown a score of ZERO for his 2010 votes against their agenda.

Thanks again for your support in the 2014 midterms!

See you on the campaign trail.

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC

www.thetrailpac.com

TPAC Names Terri Lynn Land for Senate in Michigan as 2nd Key Race

The Trail PAC is proud to announce its official support for Terri Lynn Land for Senate as our 2^nd targeted key battleground senate race in the 2014 midterm election cycle. 

Political insiders have stated that this Michigan senate race between Terri Lynn Land and Gary Peters is one of the hottest contests in the country.  Terri has a balanced approach to public land management and understands recreation access issues.  Her opponent has been endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters, the political action arm of Earth Justice, Earth First!, and the Sierra Club.

Terri has a strong commitment to balancing the public’s desire for recreational access to federal lands and waterways while also championing environmental stewardship. Terri believes that the best land-use decisions are made by local constituents and other local stakeholders, rather than bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. Terri has a history, working with her family business and in local government, bringing together local stakeholders to determine land-use. 

A victory for Terri could help change U.S. Senate leadership which continues to jam regulatory reform efforts.  Off-road voters must weigh in to change that unresponsive paradigm.   With your help in 2014, we can remove those roadblocks by electing a pro-access majority to the U.S. Senate and maintain and grow our majority in the House of Representatives.

Terri now joins Steve Daines for Senate in Montana as our 2^nd targeted/endorsed race and TPAC plans on announcing our 3^rd targeted senate race in the very near future.  Support for our 1^st targeted House race was recently announced for Congressman David Valadao in California’s 21^st congressional district.

As the summer political season heats up, please help send a strong message to closure advocates and their friends in Washington D.C. that you are not going to sit on the sidelines any longer.  Join your fellow off-roaders, professional racers, and OHV business owners who are supporting TPAC’s effort in 2014 by making a donation today.

DONATE $25, $50, $100, $200, $500, $1,000 TODAY TO KEEP TRAILS AND RIDING AREAS OPEN

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

Your donation will support TPAC's strategy of targeting up to 11 key senate races in states such as Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, and Colorado and up to 15 important battleground House races in various congressional districts including Arizona CD2/CD3, California CD7/36/52, Colorado CD6, Utah CD4, and West Virginia CD3.

Thanks for getting engaged in the political process!

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC

www.thetrailpac.com

Join the FIGHT - Don't Let OHV Become an Endangered Species (and Thank You!)

The Trail PAC wants to thank the following off-road champions; Jason Scherer, Destry Abbott, Cody Webb, and Steve Hatch for being the 1^st professional powersports athletes to endorse our efforts to elect pro-trail candidates to Congress in the 2014 midterms.

TPAC also wants to thank all the OHV voters who donated to our kickoff “Be a Trail Hero” fundraiser.  You are OHV champions too!  Here is the list of those electoral heroes.

HALL OF FAME - DONATE $1000 - $5000

Don – Oakley, CA

TRAIL HERO - DONATE $500 - $999

Brad – Roseville, CA

TRAIL CHAMPION - DONATE $200 - $499

Carl - San Diego, CA

Kane - Soquel, CA

Calvin - Windsor, CA

Richard - Palo Alto, CA

Sean - Roseville, CA

Jerry - Oakdale, CA

Richard – Palo Alto, CA

Andres – Lafayette, CA

TRAIL LEADER - DONATE $100 - $199

Scott - Penryn, CA

Doug - South Lake Tahoe, CA

Jason – Fallon, NV

Dan – Payson, UT

Erik – Hayward, CA

Del – Mokelumne, CA

Clark – Pocatello, ID

Richard – Minneapolis, MN

TRAIL SUPPORTER - DONATE $25 - $99

Mike – Turlock, CA

Jeff – Watsonville, CA

Scott – Mount Shasta, CA

Gregor – Hermosa Beach, CA

Casey - Danville, CA

Bruce - Madison, SD

Byron - Mercer Island, WA

Caren - Ridgecrest, CA

Tom - Bend, OR

Eric – Puyallup, WA

Several decades ago, the green lobby decided to put the timber industry out-of-business on federal lands. They used the Northern Spotted Owl as a tool to kill that industry.  Today, the federal timber program has functionally gone extinct.

Those same groups now have painted a political target on the back of the OHV community and are using the Sage Grouse in 11 Western States to accomplish a similar goal. Our fate does not have to be the same as federal timber operators. We have the power in this election to change the political structure in Washington D.C.

Federal election law allows you to donate up to $5,000 dollars to TPAC to help our effort. Don’t sit on the sidelines in this election – it’s too important. Don’t expect other trail voters to carry the load by themselves. Join with us in this FIGHT to promote and protect responsible OHV recreation on public and private lands via the electoral process.

DONATE $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, up to $5000 TO KEEP OHV OFF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

Thanks for your continued support!

 Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC

www.thetrailpac.com

Off-Road "King" of the Hammers - Jason Scherer - Endorses TPAC Midterm Effort

Each day this week, as part of TPAC’s update on our “Be a Trail Hero” fundraiser’s donor list, we will highlight a famous off-road champion who has endorsed TPAC’s effort to send pro-trail candidates to the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.

Today, an off-road racing champion and long-time supporter of efforts to protect trail access on public lands endorsed The Trail PAC.  Jason Scherer is the 2009 King of the Hammers Race winner and has captured the crown at many other OHV competitions.

King Scherer, states, “As a professional competitor and trail enthusiast, I know what it takes to keep trails open for responsible OHV recreation.  The recent fight to protect historic motorized access at the BLM’s Johnson Valley OHV Area is proof that it is the politicians who make land use decisions that impact us all.  Electing pro-trail candidates is the most effective way to help secure long-term recreational access to public lands for current and future generations.”

“I want to encourage off-road voters to get engaged in the 2014 midterm elections.  I am proud to endorse the efforts of TPAC to help elect politicians who will support our access to public lands, Scherer concludes.

TPAC is working to change the obstructionist leadership in the U.S. Senate that kills OHV-related regulatory reform efforts.  Off-road voters can help remove legislative chokepoint by electing a pro-access majority to the U.S. Senate and maintain and grow our majority in the House of Representatives.

TPAC’s strategy is to target/support up to 11 key senate races in states such as Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Michigan, and Montana.  We also look to target up to 15 important battleground House races in various congressional districts including Arizona CD2/CD3, California CD7/21, Colorado CD6, Utah CD4, and West Virginia CD3.

The TPAC Trail Access Victory Fund has set a goal to raise $10,000 or more between now and the FEC filing deadline of January 31. Your donation WILL allow us to support key pro-trail candidates in battleground races.  TPAC is asking you to be a TRAIL:  HALL OF FAME MEMBER, HERO, CHAMPION, LEADER, or SUPPORTER.

During the week TPAC will be featuring Off-Road Champions from King of the Hammers, National Enduros, Best in the Desert, ISDE, King of the Motos, National Mototrials, and National Hare & Hound who are supporting TPAC’s effort to elect pro-trail candidates to Congress.

Trail users who donate will have their first name/city/state listed in the following categories:

HALL OF FAME - DONATE $1000 - $5000

TRAIL HERO - DONATE $500 - $999

TRAIL CHAMPION - DONATE $200 - $499

Richard – Palo Alto, CA

Sean – Roseville, CA

Jerry – Oakdale, CA

Andres – Lafayette, CA

TRAIL LEADER - DONATE $100 - $199

Clark – Pocatello, ID

Richard – Minneapolis, MN

TRAIL SUPPORTER - DONATE $25 - $99

Eric – Puyallup, WA

*MAKE YOUR DONATION AT THE TPAC LINK BELOW:

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

You will note there are several names already on the list because they were anticipating our formal launch and wanted to be first out of the gate. Again, the donation lists will be updated each day until the FEC filing deadline of January 31.

Remember is it Congress that decides where you and I ride or drive our OHVs.  Let send more candidates who support our values back to Washington D.C. in 2014.

Don

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC

www.thetrailpac.com

TPAC -JOIN The Fight to Keep Trails Open - Be a Hero Fundraiser - 1st Targeted Senate Race and Off-Road Champions Support TPAC Effort

The Trail PAC is proud to announce its official “Be a Trail Hero” launch into the 2014 midterm election cycle.  Trail voters “got into the game” in the 2012 election by helping elect a number of pro-access legislators into Congress including Nevada’s U.S. Senator, Dean Heller.  TPAC expects to build on that success in this election cycle.

Congress has a growing number of legislators who are off-road enthusiasts themselves and support responsible OHV use on federal lands.  Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced and passed legislation that supports public use of motorized trails.  They have also passed bills and held oversight hearings to address unwarranted and politically motived excessive OHV-related regulations at the EPA, Forest Service, and BLM.

However, U.S. Senate leadership is jamming similar regulatory reform efforts in that legislative body.  Off-road voters must weigh in to change that unresponsive paradigm.   With your help in 2014, we can remove those roadblocks by electing a pro-access majority to the U.S. Senate and maintain and grow our majority in the House of Representatives.

TPAC’s strategy is to target/support up to 11 key senate races in states such as Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Michigan, and Montana.  We also look to target up to 15 important battleground House races in various congressional districts including Arizona CD2/CD3, California CD7/21, Colorado CD6, Utah CD4, and West Virginia CD3.

TPAC is pleased to announce that we are supporting Steve Daines for Senate in Montana as our 1^st targeted senate race.   Last week, MT access leader, Amy Brieder, presented Steve Daines with an official TPAC donation at Yellowstone Motorsports in Belgrade, MT.

After the presentation by Amy, Steve Daines said, “A big thanks to TrailPAC for their support of my election to U.S. Senate. Access to our outdoor recreation is a big part of the lives of Montana families and I will work to preserve these opportunities for future generations to enjoy.”

The TPAC Trail Access Victory Fund has set a goal to raise $10,000 or more between now and the FEC filing deadline of January 31. Your donation WILL allow us to support key pro-trail candidates in battleground races.  TPAC is asking you to be a TRAIL:  HALL OF FAME MEMBER, HERO, CHAMPION, LEADER, or SUPPORTER.

Each day this week as we update the donor list, TPAC will be featuring Off-Road Champions from King of the Hammers, National Enduros, Best in the Desert, ISDE, King of the Motos, National Mototrials, and National Hare & Hound who are supporting TPAC’s effort to elect pro-trail candidates to Congress.

Trail users who donate will have their first name/city/state listed in the following categories:

HALL OF FAME - DONATE $1000 - $5000

TRAIL HERO - DONATE $500 - $999

TRAIL CHAMPION - DONATE $200 - $499

Sean – Roseville, CA

Jerry – Oakdale, CA

Andres – Lafayette, CA

TRAIL LEADER - DONATE $100 - $199

Clark – Pocatello, ID

Richard – Minneapolis, MN

TRAIL SUPPORTER - DONATE $25 - $99

Eric – Puyallup, WA

*MAKE YOUR DONATION AT THE TPAC LINK BELOW:

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

You will note there are several names already on the list because they were anticipating our formal launch and wanted to be first out of the gate. Again, the donation lists will be updated each day until the FEC filing deadline of January 31.

You made a difference in 2012, now let’s build on that success in 2014!

Don

Don Amador, Founder

The TrailPAC

www.thetrailpac.com

Govt. Shutdown - OHV Caught in DC Political Fight

TPAC Founder, Don Amador, at OR Dunes NRA 

This area is reported as being closed by the shutdown

Dear OHV Voter,

Throughout the West, federal land managers are announcing OHV related closures today in response to the government shutdown.

 

There does not appear to be any consistency between agencies and units on what recreation facilities and trails will be open.  

 

For example, the Cleveland National Forest in Southern California has closed the Corral Canyon OHV Area.  In Northern California, it appears the BLM's Ukiah Field Office will close the entrance gates to the South Cow Mountain OHV Recreation Area. 

 

Closure Sign at FS Staging Area at OR Dunes

*Photo thanks to Save the Riders Dunes

 

 

On the other hand in Colorado, it looks like public land trails on the White River National Forest and the BLM's Colorado River Valley Field Office will be open.

 

TPAC believes that Congress is acutely aware of the shutdown's impact to recreation activities via the House's introduction of a bill today to fund the National Park Service during the shutdown.

 

TPAC also believes the long lasting impact of the shutdown on multiple-use recreation is logarithmically related to the length of the impasse.

 

This is a massive political battle between opposing ideologies and public land recreation is but a small player on the scene.   TPAC urges recreationists to be advised their recreational experience may be severely impacted by the shutdown.

 

Best regards,

 

Don

 

Don Amador, Founder

The TrailPAC

www.thetrailpac.com

 

 

THANK YOU! - OHV Growing Factor in D.C. Political Landscape

Dear Trail Voter,

              

The Trail PAC wants to thank the donors who participated in our 1-day "Be a Trail Hero" fundraiser to help restock our political war chest for the 2014 midterm elections.

 

TPAC is excited about the opportunity for summer motorized trail enthusiasts to support pro-trail candidates regardless of party affiliation in the upcoming election.   With your continued financial support, TPAC will also work hard to send additional pro-trail candidates to the House and Senate. Those new Members of Congress will help support the ongoing work of pro-trail politicians already there.

 

* Some of those members have an OHV racing background and/or currently ride OHVs or dual-sport motorcycles as their preferred forms of recreation.

 

That aforementioned work includes holding oversight hearings on excessive cost-recovery fees for OHV permitted events, streamlining of the NEPA process for OHV-related projects, tort reform, and new 21st Century legislation that gives long-term statutory protection for motorized recreation on public lands.

 

With your support in the 2014 midterms, TPAC will continue to be the counterweight for our targeted pro-trail candidates against the anti-access political machine of the League of Conservation Voters, Earth Justice, Earth First!, and the Sierra Club.

 

Thanks again to the following trail voters who supported this fundraiser.  

 

Trail Champion - $200 to $499

 

John - Lakeside, CA

Jerry - Oakdale, CA
Kane - Soquel, CA

 

 

Trail Advocate - $100 - $199

 

Kirk - San Ramon, CA

Jesse - Fallon, NV

Clark - Pocatello, ID

Tony - Bayside, CA

Karl - Crescent City, CA
Scott - Murrieta, CA
Jody - North Bend, OR
Paul - Santa Clara, CA

 

 

 

Trail Supporter - $25 - $99

 

Scott - Saint David, AZ

Scott - Mount Shasta, CA

Thomas - Oakley, CA

Dick - Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Greg - Saint David, AZ
Don - Fountain Hills, AZ
Erik - Hayward, CA
Eric - San Rafael, CA
Geoff - Concord, CA
Lance - Florence, OR
Barbara - Florence, OR
Scott - Longmont, CO
Bruce - Madison, SD

 

 

For those who missed out on this fundraiser and want to donate anyway, please go to the link below and donate from $10 - $5K.  Be sure and fill out the donor qualification as well.

 

Donate Here

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

 

 

Thanks again for donating to our kickoff of the 2014 midterm election cycle!

 

 

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC

www.thetrailpac.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trail Hero 1-Day Fundraiser - Updated Donor List @ 3:30pm

Dear Trail Voter,

                  

DONOR UPDATE: 3:30pm Pacific Coast Time

It is great to have new riders join the fight via the electoral process. As you know, the 2014 midterm election cycle has already started and the June 30th FEC filing deadline for PACs is today at midnight. TPAC has already been getting calls from pro-trail candidates asking us if we will be there for them in those tight races. I told them YES!

 

TPAC is running a 1-day fundraiser to restock our political war chest for the 2014 midterm elections. In the 2012 elections, TPAC fought battleground races in AZ, CA, CO, IN, KY, MN, MT, ND, NM, NV, OH, PA, VA, and WA. Those were key targeted battleground races for our pro-trail candidates who were engaged in fierce political fights.

 

You have constructed a strong foundation for TPAC. Using the momentum from the 2012 election, trail voters are well positioned to impact the next election.

 

With your support in the 2014 midterms, TPAC will continue to be the counterweight for our targeted pro-trail candidates against the anti-access political machine of the League of Conservation Voters, Earth Justice, Earth First!, and the Sierra Club.  

 

There is always a "political itch" in a 2nd Presidential term.   With your help that itch will be scratched by TPAC in the 2014 midterm (House/Senate) elections.

 

After you donate today, your support level will be noted by listing your first name, city, and state in one of the categories below. The list below will be updated periodically today as Trail Heroes, Champions, Advocates, and Supporters donate.

Trail Hero - $500 or more

 

 

Trail Champion - $200 to $499

 

John - Lakeside, CA

Jerry - Oakdale, CA

 

Trail Advocate - $100 - $199

Kirk - San Ramon, CA

Jesse - Fallon, NV

 

Trail Supporter - $25 - $99

 

Scott - Saint David, AZ
Scott – Mount Shasta, CA
Thomas – Oakley, CA
 

Your donation will inspire other trail users to be involved in the political process. In addition, it will send a message to our political opponents that trail voters "will be in the game" for 2014.

 

Donate Here

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

  

Thanks in advance for donating to our kickoff in the 2014 midterm election cycle!

 

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC
www.thetrailpac.com

 

OHV Matures as Political Force

The OHV community has come a long way in the last 23 -26 years.  As a user group, OHV has matured to become a respected and valued member in the land-use debate.   That has not always been the case.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, OHV often was given a secondary position at the discussion table behind both resource and environmental interests.   Many industry and conservation groups were established in the 1800s and had cultivated long-standing relationships with politicians and agency leaders.

From a national perspective, OHV had just become aware of the need for it to become substantively organized to protect and defend itself from the political agenda of anti-access groups who now had added motorized recreation to their list of human activities that should be either banned or severely restricted.

Although OHV has become more effective in battling closure advocates in the administrative and legal arenas, it still has a long way to go when it comes to becoming a political force in the electoral process.

Anti-access groups have developed an effective strategy to further their goals.  They are engaged in both the grassroots/administrative process AND the electoral process.   OHV should be commended for their successful efforts in the administrative process, but they are still in the beginning stage of affecting the outcomes on Election Day.

The Trail PAC was founded to help give OHV a seat at the “political table.”  We started that effort for the 2012 election and plan to grow our impact for the 2014 midterm cycle to help send pro-trail candidates to Congress. 

Please go to the donation link below if you want to make an early contribution for our pro-trail efforts in the upcoming election.

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

 

See you on the campaign trail,

 

Don

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC

 

REI CEO to Head Department of Interior

TPAC wants to share this "trail news" regarding President Obama's recent naming of Sally Jewell as the Secretary of the Interior.

 

Sally Jewell has been associated with two very active anti-OHV entities. Those include the National Park Conservation Association (NPCA) where she has served as a board member since 2004 and REI where she serves as their CEO.

 

The NPCA has been very active in the legal arena where they have filed at least one lawsuit to ban or severely restrict ATV use at Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida.

 

REI has corporately aligned itself with the non-motorized Wilderness agenda of groups such as the Sierra Club, the Wilderness Society, and the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. Like NPCA, those groups are actively engaged in lawsuits to ban or restrict OHV recreation on public lands.  

 

However last summer, Jewell as part of an outdoor industry coalition - which included representatives from the powersports industry - helped launch the Western Governor's Association's report on the economic impact of outdoor recreation.

 

June 2012 Recreation Report News Release (link to study included in Release)

http://www.westgov.org/news/261-news-2012/401-outdoor-recreation-a-646-billion-industry

 

 

TPAC will be watching the senate confirmation hearings to see if she indicates a willingness to continue working in a collaborative manner with both motorized and non-motorized recreationists or if she will use her new position to support the anti-OHV agenda of the groups she has been associated with.
 

Best regards,

 

Don

 

The TrailPAC

www.thetrailpac.com
 

Thank You

TPAC wants to send you a heartfelt THANK YOU for your support through the 2012 election cycle.

Your support helped elect several pro-trail candidates to the U.S. Senate in AZ and NV.   You reelected Scott Tipton (CO-CD3) who was in a very tough fight in a battleground state.  You helped Andy Barr ( KY-CD6) defeat the anti-trail incumbent.  

You were the counterweight for our targeted races against the smear campaigns waged by the League of Conservation Voters, Earth Justice, Earth First!, and the Sierra Club.  

You have constructed a strong foundation for TPAC.  Using that momentum, trail voters will be effectively engaged in future elections at the federal level.

There is always a “political itch” in a 2^nd Presidential term.   That itch will be scratched by trail voters in the 2014 midterm (House/Senate) elections. 

TPAC also believes the outcome of this election places additional responsibility on trail voters to be actively engaged in non-election efforts to promote and protect responsible OHV recreation.   That work includes robust participation in the public process/administrative process related to federal land agency planning efforts.  OHVers should also continue working with other stakeholder groups such as county supervisors, outdoor groups, and mainstream conservation organizations.

Thanks again for your support and dedication to this effort.   It is appreciated more than you can ever know.

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC
www.thetrailpac.com

Election Day Predictions - Voters are Tired of Being Tired

TPAC’s Election Day prediction is that you will elect a pro-trail/pro-regulatory reform President, a pro-trail majority in the U.S. Senate, and retain the pro-trail majority in the House of Representatives.

Your energy and enthusiasm are fueled by the fact that you are tired of being tired.   OHVers are tired of having the Forest Service ignore public input during the travel planning process.   We are tired of having to pay $150 dollars to fill up our ¾ ton diesel pickup on the way up to our favorite riding area.  We are tired of the EPA and other federal regulators creating new and politically motivated regulations that impact our access to roads and trails.

Other voting blocks are tired too.   Coal miners in the battleground states are tired of federal regulators implementing plans to put them out of business.   Gun owners in those same states are tired of new proposals by the administration to impact their 2^nd Amendment rights.   Churches are tired of having the federal government impose rules and regulations that violate their religious beliefs.  Family breadwinners are tired of worrying about losing their job.  Parents are tired of their college kids being forced to move back home after graduating because there are no post-graduation jobs.

TPAC believes trail-voters will know by early Wednesday morning who our next President and Senate Majority leader are.   TPAC also believes there will be one or two “surprise” states in the West who will go for our candidates.   Those two states are OR and NV.

You can now see that being “tired” is a huge motivator and it will be the deciding factor in this election.

As results come in tonight watch to see how many of our key targeted races win.   Now go out and vote Pro-Trail!

HERE IS OUR LIST OF KEY TARGETED AND/OR ENDORSED RACES FOR ELECTION 2012

President and Vice-President of the United States

 

Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan

 

U.S. Senate

 

Richard Mourdock (IN-Senate)

Tom Smith (PA - Senate)
Josh Mandel (OH-Senate)
Tommy Thompson (WI-Senate)
Dean Heller (NV - Senate)
Denny Rehberg (MT-Senate)
George Allen (VA- Senate)
Jeff Flake (AZ - Senate)
Heather Wilson (NM-Senate)
Rick Berg (ND-Senate)

 

U.S. House of Representatives

 

Andy Barr (KY CD-6)

John Koster (WA CD-1)
Dan Lungren (CA CD-7)
Chip Cravaack (MN CD-8)
Ricky Gill (CA CD-9)
Scott Tipton (CO-CD-3)

Thanks for voting to protect your FREEDOM to enjoy OHV recreation on public and private lands.

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC
www.thetrailpac.com

 

 

 

 

Join TPAC Hall of Fame and CA Voter Registration Info

Join the Trail PAC's Hall of Fame or Be a Trail Hero
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/New-Trail-Heroes-Join-Fight.html?soid=1109092517671&aid=e2Q9iSEWiVc

Also, for CA voters... the deadline to register to vote is Oct. 22.  TPAC urges
all trail voters to make sure that all members of their OHV networks are registered
to vote.  Every Vote Counts!  Remember that some Congressional races have been
won or lost by less than 50 votes.

CA Voters Register Here Online
http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm

Thanks for being engaged in this election to protect your trail access!

TPAC Takes on Media Bias in Week Long Social Media Event

Just a Click (LIKE) to Save Our Trails and it's FREE

 

Dear Trail Voter,   The mainstream media is working overtime to bias the news to discourage pro-trail voters in blue and battleground states in the hope that you will give up and stay home. The Trail PAC is going to counter that with the 1st ever pro-trail social media week. This national counter offensive is called OPERATION SOARING EAGLE.   Some congressional races are won or lost by less than 50 votes or just one vote per precinct. With the election just a few weeks away, it is important for trail voters to inform their Facebook friends about our targeted races and encourage them to go to the polls on November 6 and VOTE!   TPAC knows many people are busy trying to make a living and don't have time to follow political campaigns. That is why it is important for YOU to LIKE the pro-trail candidates below so your social networks throughout the country will know about these candidates and the issues.     TPAC is not asking for any donations today. Our national counterattack is FREE. All we ask of you is to go to the following races and LIKE them. Also, feel free to share your support of the Trail PAC and these candidates with your social networks. Just those few extra votes WILL make a difference in this historic election.     ACTION ITEM: Go to all of the candidate's websites and LIKE them.  This will have a huge impact and best of all it's FREE!   Here is TPAC's list of targeted key races as of October 2, 2012   U.S. Senate   Tommy Thompson (WI-Senate) http://www.tommyforwisconsin.com/    Dean Heller (NV - Senate) http://deanheller.com/     Denny Rehberg (MT-Senate) http://dennyrehberg.com/     George Allen (VA- Senate) http://www.georgeallen.com/     Jeff Flake (AZ - Senate) http://www.jeffflake.com/     Heather Wilson (NM-Senate) http://heatherwilson.com/     Rick Berg (ND-Senate) http://www.bergfornorthdakota.com/view/       U.S. House of Representatives   John Koster (WA CD-1) http://www.kosterforcongress.com/   Koster's Facebook page link since it was harder to find on website:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Koster-for-Congress/246070079439      Dan Lungren (CA CD-7) http://www.danlungren.com/      Chip Cravaack (MN CD-8) http://chipcravaack.com/      Ricky Gill (CA CD-9) http://www.rickygill.com/     Scott Tipton (CO-CD-3) http://www.votetipton.com/   Thanks in advance for taking a few minutes to help save our trails via the election process.   Feel free to check back into these campaigns throughout the week to see how many of your friends are getting engaged.   Thanks also for your support of TPAC.   Don Amador, Founder The Trail PAC www.thetrailpac.com