The California Automotive Wholesalers’ Association (CAWA) is advancing a new concept to form a political action sub-committee within its Public Affairs Committee, aiming to deepen its advocacy efforts and escalate fundraising for the committee. The proposal is scheduled for review by the Public Affairs Committee and CAWA’s Board of Directors at their January 2026 meeting.
CAWA, a nonprofit trade group founded in 1955, represents aftermarket parts manufacturers, jobbers, warehouse distributors, retailers and program groups across California, Arizona and Nevada. It offers extensive member services including free legal support, group purchasing, training and legislative advocacy.
The concept paper outlines the core mission of the proposed political sub committee: to educate legislators, engage policymakers, influence industry-relevant regulation, and bolster fundraising efforts for the Public Affairs Committee’s fund. The stated mission is to “Position CAWA as an influential policy leader on issues that affect CAWA members and the automotive aftermarket industry.”
It proposes the sub committee be composed of up to 11 members plus staff, drawn across the aftermarket ecosystem. Members must contribute to the Public Affairs Committee fund within defined tiers, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000+ annually, and are to be nominated and approved by the committee, with final ratification by CAWA’s Board of Directors.
CAWA seeks to raise $125,000 for the Public Affairs Committee fund by its February 2026 leadership meeting, with an annual target to maintain at least $250,000 for strategic advocacy initiatives.
The political sub committee’s launch is timed to coincide with CAWA’s 2026 Winter Leadership & Educational Forum, where it will hold its initial meeting.
This initiative comes as the independent automotive parts aftermarket face mounting policy and compliance challenges — PAGA enforcement, Proposition 65, environmental packaging mandates, R 134a refrigerant phase out, weights and measures regulations, and hazardous waste oversight among them — all increasingly state-driven and complex.
Collision repair shop operators, who often rely on parts distributors and jobbers like those represented by CAWA, could experience indirect benefits from stronger advocacy leading to improved legislative engagement that may help shape regulations.
