In her episode of Policy Wins, Micaela Isler, President & CEO of the National Association of Business Political Action Committees (NABPAC), doesn’t just defend the role of PACs — she reframes it entirely. With decades of experience managing PACs herself, and now leading the only national trade association solely dedicated to PAC professionals, Micaela offers a data-backed, bipartisan case for why business PACs still matter, and how they can evolve.
This blog distills the key takeaways from the conversation, spotlighting how public affairs teams can modernize their PAC strategies while staying grounded in transparency, trust, and tactical clarity.
🎧 Want the full story? Listen to Micaela’s episode of Policy Wins for a behind-the-scenes look at modern PAC leadership and advocacy in action.
Misunderstood and Misrepresented — Why Business PACs Need a Rebrand
The term “PAC” tends to elicit skepticism. But as Micaela explains, that skepticism is often based on misinformation, specifically, a widespread confusion between traditional PACs and super PACs. Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited money without coordinating with campaigns. Business PACs, by contrast, are separate segregated funds (SSFs) funded by voluntary contributions from employees or members, typically small-dollar donations, deducted from a paycheck.
NABPAC’s research confirmed that the public, and even policymakers, routinely conflate these two models. “We realized very quickly that people were reacting to super PACs, not business PACs,” she explained. That discovery led NABPAC to double down on message testing, stakeholder education, and podcasting — all to set the record straight.
From Reactive to Strategic — Rebuilding the Advocacy Model
When Micaela took the helm in 2019, the PAC landscape was in flux. The “No Corporate PAC” pledge had gained momentum, anti-business rhetoric was on the rise, and public trust in political giving was fading. NABPAC’s legacy as a professional resource was strong, but Micaela saw an urgent need for the organization to lean into advocacy, not just best practices.
“We needed to be the defender and promoter of the business PAC community,” she said.
That shift began with a strategic planning process that brought together the board, former chairs, and longtime members. The goal was alignment towards a shared North Star that could guide the organization through reputational challenges and political headwinds, including COVID-19 and the January 6th aftermath.
Bipartisanship as a Strategy, Not a Talking Point
One of the most compelling takeaways from Micaela’s leadership is how she treats bipartisanship as a foundational strategy, not a PR posture. Despite assumptions that business PACs lean Republican, NABPAC’s internal data tells a more nuanced story: most PACs give to both parties, often in near-equal proportions depending on who holds the majority in Congress.
“Business PACs have long supported pro-growth, pro-business candidates on both sides of the aisle,” Micaela noted. Structuring her team and messaging to reflect that diversity was essential. “We want more voices around the table to solve the problems of this country,” and being a trusted, nonpartisan voice opens more doors than it closes.
The Fight to Modernize: Why “Prior Approval” Has to Go
PAC professionals know the pain of “prior approval” — a rule that requires trade associations to get written permission before they can even speak to member companies about their PACs. It’s a rule that doesn’t apply to corporations or unions and hasn’t evolved with the times.
Worse, it limits strategic planning. At a board meeting, even thanking contributors can be considered a “solicitation,” triggering compliance issues. “It stifles engagement,” Micaela said. “It serves no purpose today, and even the FEC doesn’t track this data.”
That’s why NABPAC is pushing for passage of HR 1399, which would repeal the prior approval requirement. Getting the bill introduced was a major milestone, and advocacy continues to educate lawmakers on why the rule is outdated and unfair.
From Three-Legged Stool to Engagement Wheel
Historically, political engagement was framed as a “three-legged stool”: PAC, grassroots, and lobbying. But that model no longer captures the full range of strategies modern teams are deploying.
Today, as Micaela described it, political engagement is more like a wheel — with PACs as one spoke among many. “We’re seeing organizations integrate social media tracking, message testing, stakeholder engagement, and digital tools into a more holistic approach.”
This evolution speaks directly to the needs of modern public affairs teams, and it’s where tools like Quorum come in. Whether you’re tracking legislation, identifying key champions, or coordinating grassroots efforts, success now requires alignment across channels and teams.
Conclusion: Relevance Is Earned, Not Assumed
Micaela’s message to next-gen public affairs leaders is clear: PACs are still relevant, but that relevance must be communicated and defended. Trust, transparency, and bipartisan strategy are critical. As is showing how PACs connect employees and members to the democratic process.
More broadly, her story is a case study in leading transformation from within using data, stakeholder insight, and persistent messaging to shift the narrative.
For public affairs teams looking to stay ahead, the lesson is this: treat your PAC as part of a broader engagement strategy. Track what matters. Message intentionally. And don’t assume your audience understands the value you bring — prove it.
FAQ: What Public Affairs Teams Need to Know About PAC Strategy
What’s the difference between a business PAC and a super PAC?
A business PAC is a separate segregated fund that raises limited contributions from eligible employees or members. Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited funds independently and cannot coordinate with campaigns.
Why is prior approval a problem for trade association PACs?
It restricts trade associations from engaging corporate members unless they’ve received written permission — a rule that doesn’t apply to unions or corporations. It limits participation and strategic planning and creates unnecessary administrative burdens.
How is NABPAC advocating for PAC modernization?
NABPAC is pushing for the repeal of the prior approval requirement and advocating for indexing contribution limits to inflation. They also lead educational campaigns to clarify the role of business PACs in the broader political system.
Are PACs still relevant today?
Yes. PACs remain the most transparent, regulated, and bipartisan method of political giving. They’re supported by small-dollar contributions and serve as a trusted engagement channel between organizations and elected officials.
How should public affairs teams evolve their PAC strategies?
Treat PACs as one piece of a larger engagement strategy. Use tools like Quorum to align messaging, track legislative impact, and coordinate across grassroots, lobbying, and communications teams.