Pictured from left to right: PRI President Michael Good, Indiana Rep. Beau Bair, SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola, U.S. Rep. Jim Baird and SEMA Board of Directors Chairman Kyle Fickler.

The 2024 PRI Show was popular not just with racers and those who work in the industry but also with elected officials, whose interests in the event ranged from meeting with exhibitors from their districts to pure enthusiasm for racing. PRI staff hosted U.S. Representative Jim Baird (R-IN-4), West Virginia Senator Mark Maynard (R-6), Maryland Delegate Kevin Hornberger (R-35B) and Indiana Representative Beau Baird (R-44), who toured the show and met with businesses from their districts and home states. 

"PRI thanks our friends in Congress and the state legislatures for visiting the PRI Show and seeing the racing industry's preeminent event in person," said Karen Bailey-Chapman, PRI's senior vice president of public and government affairs. "We value strong working relationships with these key lawmakers and the time they invested to meet with exhibitors and attendees. We believe they left Indianapolis with a better understanding of the issues that are impacting the motorsports parts industry."  

West Virginia Sen. Mark Maynard (left) and Christian Robinson, PRI's senior director of state government affairs.

Below is additional information about the lawmakers who visited the PRI Show: 

• U.S. Rep. Jim Baird is a member of the U.S. House Committees on Agriculture, Foreign Affairs and Science/Space/Technology. He is a member of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. Before being elected to Congress, he ran a home healthcare agency and a farm with his family and served eight years as a State Representative in the Indiana General Assembly. Rep. Baird is a decorated Vietnam War veteran, as his distinguished service to our country was recognized with a Bronze Star with a V device and two Purple Hearts.  
   
• West Virginia State Sen. Mark Maynard is the chair of the Outdoor Recreation Committee, vice chair of the School Choice Committee and is a member of the Education, Judiciary and Enrolled Bills Committee. He is a passionate motorsports enthusiast, including off-roading and racing. Before being elected to the state legislature, Sen. Maynard worked on Jim Head's Funny Car NHRA team. Sen. Maynard is a longtime State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus member and winner of SEMA's 2018 Stephen B. McDonald Lawmaker of the Year award.  
   

Maryland Del. Kevin Hornberger poses in front of his K5 Blazer.

• Maryland Del. Kevin Hornberger has served in the legislature since 2015 and is currently the deputy minority whip. He is a Ways and Means Committee member and the nationwide chair of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. Del. Hornberger displayed his '74 Chevy Blazer K5 at the 2023 SEMA Show before putting it to the test at the 2023 SCORE Baja 1000. 
   
• Indiana State Rep. Beau Baird has served in the state legislature since 2018, representing Putnam County and a portion of Montgomery County. He is the vice chair of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee and serves on the Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Baird is the owner/operator of Baird Ranch and is the CFO of Indiana Home Care Plus. He also serves on the International Board of Directors for the American Quarter Horse Association and works with the board of directors for the Indiana Quarter Horse Association and Quarter Horse Racing of Indiana.  

Lawmakers are often looking for opportunities to meet constituents from our industry. For additional information on inviting them to participate in an event or visit your business, contact Eric Snyder, PRI's senior director of federal government affairs, at erics@sema.org.