NAHB Podcast: Changing Dynamics in the 2024 Election
On the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez are joined by Chief Lobbyist Lake Coulson to discuss the latest political news.
Coulson recently attended the Republican National Convention with NAHB Chairman Carl Harris and First Vice Chairman Buddy Hughes, as well as NAHB VP of Government Affairs Scott Meyer and BUILD-PAC Director Meredith Wimbrow. The senior officers had the opportunity to talk housing with federal elected officials, as well as a special closing session with former President Trump and vice presidential candidate, Sen. JD Vance.
“Carl spent some time with Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and with Majority Leader Steve Scalise as well,” Coulson noted. “So we had a really good opportunity to talk about our place in the world and why housing is so important to the economy and some of the things that are keeping our builders up at night.”
Following the convention, President Biden’s announcement to step down as the Democratic presidential nominee has changed the landscape for the 2024 election. Tobin, Lopez and Coulson weighed in on what to expect in this election cycle, including potential campaign tactics for Vice President Kamala Harris, who might be the Democratic vice presidential nominee, and the significance of Biden’s announcement.
“They just threw out the sitting president of the United States from re-election over a bad debate performance,” Tobin stated. “If you think about that, it’s stunning.”
Carl Harris and Buddy Hughes will be on the road again in a few weeks to attend the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, and NAHB will continue to campaign for pro-housing efforts through the August recess and leading up to elections in November.
Listen to the full episode below, and subscribe to Housing Development through your favorite podcast provider or watch all the episodes on YouTube.
Latest from NAHBNow
IBS | Membership
Feb 10, 2026
Planning for IBS? Schedule a Stop at NAHB HQNAHB HQ has something for everyone. All registrants can participate in enrichment sessions, learn about NAHB membership, and network with attendees. NAHB members will have exclusive member-only areas with giveaways, snacks, charging areas, and more.
Advocacy
Feb 09, 2026
House Passes NAHB-Supported Major Housing PackageThe House this evening approved the Housing for the 21st Century Act, a major bipartisan housing package that takes much-needed steps toward addressing our nation’s critical lack of housing.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Feb 10, 2026
Credit Card Balances Rise in Q4 2025Overall consumer credit continued to expand in the fourth quarter of 2025, with growth in both nonrevolving and revolving credit. Nonrevolving credit, primarily student and auto loans, accounts for 74% of total outstanding consumer credit, while revolving credit, largely credit card balances, makes up the remaining 26%.
Economics
Feb 10, 2026
Weaker Demand, Unchanged Lending Conditions for Residential Mortgages in Fourth QuarterLending standards for most types of residential mortgages were essentially unchanged but overall demand was weaker in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the recent release of the Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS).
Economics
Feb 09, 2026
Lower Rates Lift Mortgage Activity at Start of the YearMortgage application activity rose sharply in January, driven primarily by a surge in refinancing activity as mortgage rates declined to a new low. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, a measure of total mortgage application volume, increased 12.9% from December on a seasonally adjusted basis and was 61.3% higher than a year earlier.