Being politically engaged is part of being a good NAIFA citizen. Understanding and working to influence public policy to promote financial security benefits NAIFA members' businesses, colleagues, clients, and communities, as well as all consumers. This election year, at least seven NAIFA members are taking their advocacy to the next level by running for statewide office.
Kristin Alfheim, RICP, CLTC
A loyal NAIFA member since 2004, Alfheim is a graduate of NAIFA’s Leadership in Life Institute (LILI) and has completed NAIFA’s Grassroots Engagement Training Series to receive the Financial Security Advocate badge. She serves as a Councilperson for the city of Appleton, WI. She is running in the Wisconsin Democratic primary as a candidate for the state’s District 19 Senate seat. The Wisconsin primary is August 9.
Wes Booker, LUTCF
Booker is a member of NAIFA’s National Board of Trustees and a loyal NAIFA member since 2004. He is a LILI graduate and has completed NAIFA’s Grassroots Engagement Training Series to receive the Financial Security Advocate badge. He is a candidate in the Arkansas Republican primary for the House District 71 seat. The Arkansas primary is May 24.
Fred Glass, CLU, ChFC, CFP
Glass, a loyal NAIFA member since 2015, is the President of NAIFA’s Atlanta chapter and a LILI graduate. He is a candidate for the state Senate District 6 seat in the Georgia Republican primary, which will be May 24.
A loyal NAIFA member since 2021, Jones currently serves in the Georgia state Senate where he has held office since 2013. He is running in the Georgia Republican primary, which will be May 24, as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor.
Brian Lampton, LUTCF
Lampton is a former Board member of NAIFA’s Ohio chapter and LILI graduate who has been a loyal NAIFA member since 1991. He represents the 73rd District in the Ohio House of Representatives and is the incumbent candidate for the seat in the Ohio Republican primary, May 3.
John Raley, LACP, FSCP, CLTC, MBA
Raley is a Past President of NAIFA’s Iowa chapter and a loyal NAIFA member since 1983. He is a candidate in the Iowa Democratic primary for the state Senate District 45 seat. The Iowa primary will be June 7.
Adam Solano, LACP
A loyal NAIFA member since 1996, Solano is a 2009 winner of Advisor Today’s 4 Under 40 award and a graduate of LILI. He is running in the Illinois Republican primary as a candidate for the state’s 31st District Senate seat. The Illinois primary is June 28.
More than half of these NAIFA members aspiring to serve their states and communities in elected office are graduates of NAIFA’s Leadership in Life Institute and two of them have earned NAIFA’s Financial Security Advocate badge. Nearly all of them have been involved in NAIFA’s chapter or national advocacy programs, from state legislative days to the Congressional Conference.
NAIFA sees developing the leadership and advocacy skills of members as an important part of our mission. We are very proud of these members who are making the effort to take their service to the next level. Not everyone, of course, will feel the calling to run for public office. But as the examples of these NAIFA members show, there are many ways for financial professionals to make a difference. They can:
Advocacy is an important NAIFA benefit. As the only association for insurance and financial professionals influencing policymakers at the federal, interstate, and state levels and with a presence in all 50 state capitals, NAIFA's advocacy is unmatched. We owe our effectiveness to our members. The more NAIFA members we have who are engaged and active, the more we are able to amplify our advocacy message. The key is to get involved and make your voice heard.