Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1040159
36 PalletCentral • September-October 2018 palletcentral.com He is CEO of Renaissance Global Logistics, which ships supplier parts to auto factories around the world. James is the first black Republican in more than three decades to run for a major statewide office in Michigan. He describes himself as a "pro- business, pro-life, and pro-Second Amendment conservative." H Why it Matters Senator Stabenow is the Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Issues that affect the pallet industry are under the purview of the Senate Ag. Committee, like invasive species and general forestry. NWPCA has been working with her and her staff on issues important to the industry. Harder has a Master's of Supply Chain Management and Information Systems from Penn State University, so he also understands our industry. New York: John Faso (R) The New York Hudson Valley is shaping up to be a key battleground in the national fight for control the U.S. House of Representatives in November. An internal Democratic poll shows GOP Rep. John Faso is in for a competitive race, with Democratic challenger Antonio Delgado polling ahead or very close to the first-term lawmaker. A Sienna Research Institute polls shows Faso leading his challenger by 45 to 40 percent among likely voters. The lead is within a margin of error of 4.8 percent, signaling a potentially tight race. H Why it Matters NWPCA has been working with Congressman Faso and his staff on APHIS and the U.S. Forest Service collaboration on surveillance to detect newly introduced tree-killing pests. The agencies would also report to Congress by 2021 on which pests are being detected and the geographic origins of those pests. Faso has been good about removing language that was of questionable benefit to the wooden pallet and container industry. NWPCA has a very good working relationship with the first-term Congressman. Indiana: Jackie Walorski (R) Walorski is a strong supporter of the industry. She is recipient of the NWPCA "Champion of the Wood Pallet and Container Industry" award, has spoken at several NWPCA events, and looks out for issues important to the industry. She is a member of the Ways and Means Committee and maintains close ties with wooden pallet manufacturers. Healthcare executive Mel Hall (D) is running against Rep. Jackie Walorski. Hall is well financed and said in a political ad that he will reject congressional perks and corporate PAC donations, as well as pledging to serve only three terms. Hall also said he would not support Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House. POLITICS Walorski is a strong supporter of the industry. She is recipient of the NWPCA "Champion of the Wood Pallet and Container Industry" award, has spoken at several NWPCA events, and looks out for issues important to the industry.