Does it matter what kind of politics someone has in CRE?
I am thinking about pivoting to a role in CRE (analyst, broker, etc) and I am wondering if it matters what kinds of politics a person has in this industry.

For example, in Silicon Valley, the overwhelming trend is woke "left" liberalism. In the oilpatch, it is full on MAGA. If you are not in the dominant camp in either case, things can be pretty miserable. I have worked as a political minority before in various fields, so I am wondering how much it matters in CRE.

I see that the big shops in CRE seem to donate more or less equal sums of money to both parties, but on the ground, in the day to day, is it common to meet many progressives (pro worker, pro environment, etc) that are in CRE, not in the planning department? I think its pretty obvious that you can feel comfortable as a conservative, but how about new-deal liberals?

I know that common sense dictates that you just don't talk politics at work, but realistically, it is usually pretty obvious that some values and ideologies succeed in some industries better than in others. I am just trying to save myself the hassle.

TLDR: do you need to be MAGA to work in CRE, or is that more prevalent with residential brokers?

&amp;#x200B;

Edit: 

&amp;#x200B;

Wow, that was a pretty great response from this subreddit. Thanks for all the helpful feedback. It seems that the general picture is that CRE is mostly "Rockefeller Republicans" that care more about what you can bring in the door than what books you read in college (...so long as I don't jump up on the open office desk and preach the class struggle). I can live with that. I can't do the MAGA cult of personality and it sounds very much like that is not the dominant strain of politics in the industry. So it's all pretty much good news.

&amp;#x200B;

Many thanks to all who posted, your replies have given me a much better sense of what to expect. 
[{"id": "gegjofs", "text": "They are pretty much all Maga in CRE. And it makes me want to chop my balls off.", "replies": [{"id": "gegxi3b", "text": "Wow I hope both things are a joke. I think that your endocrine system would be a mess. Are you in Florida or Texas? Alabama?  I hope you are kidding.", "replies": [{"id": "gegy7fd", "text": "West coast big city. Take from that what you will", "replies": [{"id": "geh88r2", "text": "Wow that is grim", "replies": [{"id": "gehviya", "text": "This person gotta be extreme. I\u2019ve been in CRE 6 years now (both institutional level and medium private equity level) and have never once encountered a super MAGA Trumper. Honestly even people voting for Trump are a little embarrassed and won\u2019t mention it unless it comes up. Industry definitely leans conservative / republican, though. Numerous reasons for this but capital gains tax is a pretty solid one.", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gegkm5i", "text": "Small ball CRE yeah (can find progressives). \n\nBut at big shops I am sure it's all low tax low regulations.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "geglskg", "text": "It\u2019s a relationship business. Does your political leaning align with your intended client base? If not can you stomach that? It largely depends on what sector of cre and where it is how most of the clientele will lean.", "replies": [{"id": "gegxyhu", "text": "I stomached being a known \"leftie\" on a frac crew for years. I took my fair share of abuse. I can work with a large number of personality types. I was more wondering if it was an overwhelming MAGA work environment (like dealing with Q Anon BS and hearing about the deep state) . \n\nI can imagine that a lot of clients are 7 or 8 figure families that have a strong interest in lowering their tax burdens and making sure the 1031 stays alive. That's tolerable, and understandable. \n\nPerhaps though, to run with your advice for a second, it would be better to serve clients (or shops) that I can build a more open and sympathetic relationship with as opposed to working with people who would like to see me in jail for supporting moderate liberal political positions. Like, maybe I can hit up Mark Cuban and see who his CCIM is?\n\nIn all sincerity, thanks for your reply, it's a good reminder that this is in fact a relationship driven industry, perhaps more so than many others.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gegmnuo", "text": "I'm a left-leaning guy in CRE and I don't find it to be all that MAGA-ish. However, I also work in the affordable housing space in a particularly liberal city. In summary, where and what you do within CRE may impact your experience.", "replies": [{"id": "gegxax3", "text": "Right, being a power broker in Miami wearing a pair of alligator shoes is a different scene than working on community land trusts in tandem with progressive builders and non-profits. I would be stoked to work in affordable housing (which I am sure a lot of people say but not many people figure out to make a decent career out of?)\n\nIf you don't mind sharing, what kinds of places would you look to get a start in the affordable housing space?  I am in ULI and that has been super useful for study and some networking. \n\nThanks for your reply.", "replies": [{"id": "gehgtza", "text": "I guess that depends on your area of expertise... if writing appraisals and market studies seems interesting to you, I might start by googling something like \"Texas Approved Market Study Analysts\" or something to get a list of firms that are qualified and approved to perform market studies in a state. That search should lead you to [a site like this one](https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/rea/approved-analysts.htm) that will provide a list of those companies. \n  \nIf you're looking more at the development and financing side, I think maybe I would start by googling something like  \"Texas LIHTC allocations\" which would lead you to [something like this page](https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/multifamily/housing-tax-credits-9pct/) where you would then navigate to something to the effect of \"2020 9% HTC Award and Waiting List\"... from there I would look at all of the recent LIHTC allocations to get an idea of the companies who are participating in that market... just make a list of the different developers, the folks providing the financing, any parties involved you might be able to reach out to and see where that gets you.  \n  \nI got here in a serendipitous way... was a commercial appraiser (mf, industrial, retail, office, special use, etc) for a small shop. My boss decided to close up shop to pursue something else and put me in contact with some folks that led me to this niche.   \n\nAnother approach could be to pull up your local library website and see if they have [Bizjouranal's Book of Lists](https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/datacenter/lists/book-of-lists-unlimited), where you might find a list of an area's top multifamily real estate development firms.\n\nGood luck!", "replies": [{"id": "gehyh38", "text": "Awesome info, thank you for the heartfelt replies", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "gehiqwz", "text": "I am in affordable too but our office is super conservative.  Depends on what part of the business you\u2019re in. The non-profits and government agencies seem very woke, our market analysts, appraisers, lenders etc. are pretty conservative. The syndicators are a mixed-bag, probably due to CRA investors.  Most avoid politics if possible though, which is becoming increasingly difficult as every project now has pressure to meet various social justice metrics.\n\nThat said, we\u2019re acutely aware that the left is actually better for business - the value of CRE tax write offs and credits goes up as taxes increase, pumping money into the industry, plus the left is more likely to expand CRA requirements, start state tax credits, increase fed tax credit authority and enact the 4% floor.\n\nTo answer OPs question, the politics vary significantly but I haven\u2019t run across anyone who\u2019s been a QAnon type, nor anyone who\u2019s been run out of the business. Plenty of conservatives, plenty of liberals.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gegn6za", "text": "I\u2019m in Cali and yes CRE is a Republican-dominated industry, even here. However I\u2019m center-left and haven\u2019t had a single problem in my career to date. In my experience it\u2019s a lot more \u201clow-tax, limited government\u201d Republicans and \u201ccapitalism with a social safety net\u201d Democrats than die-hards on either side. Or, if they are, they leave it at home, and it doesn\u2019t come up in the workplace.", "replies": [{"id": "gegx44i", "text": "I think this says a lot. I can get along just fine with both camps you mention, they both have valid arguments. I just can't hang with the MAGA mafia anymore, i would rather bag groceries at Whole Foods or live in my van selling shit on etsy.\n\nThanks for the heads up.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "geh2eru", "text": "**Well, for starters, there\u2019s a GIGANTIC difference between \u201cMAGA\u201d and traditional Republican thoughts/views/values/etc.** Folks in CRE, across the political board, appreciate tax breaks and prefer small government (traditionally  Republican viewpoints) but keep opinions about controversial issues to themselves.", "replies": [{"id": "geh51vr", "text": "I agree, I can relate with conventional conservatives on certain things, it's not the same thing as the cult of Trump that is really prevalent is certain industries. So you are getting right at the heart of my question and giving me the insight I was looking for, thanks a lot.", "replies": [{"id": "geh6evi", "text": "Political discussions are inevitable working in CRE because so much of what makes CRE lucrative involves taking advantage of tax benefits and small government. \n\nOn the flip side, is it appropriate to discuss views on controversial political subjects *ever* in the workplace? Ummm, no. We\u2019re here to make money.", "replies": [{"id": "geh83jv", "text": "Do you consider massive bailouts and credit facilities to save CMBS investors small government?\n\nJust curious how small you like it", "replies": [{"id": "geh9hdh", "text": "It really depends on your definition of massive bailouts. Does it involve me bailing you out of an incredibly awkward situation by posing that question during a business meeting?", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gehczj8", "text": "Work in NYC CRE. Politics of the people I encounter range from Bloomberg to Trump from left to right. Would argue it\u2019s pretty much Impossible to support an AOC like candidate if you work in CRE.", "replies": [{"id": "gek1hxl", "text": "Got it, no AOC 2028 headbands at the office. Thanks for the heads up.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gehdboh", "text": "Speaking of current times, you're probably going to hear a lot of griping if people know/suspect you voted for Biden and he succeeds at killing any one of 1031s, step-up in basis, or capital gains tax. Each of those would individually have a negative permanent effect on demand for CRE, all 3 is tough to imagine. Real people are going to suffer and fall out of the brokerage business if that happens.\n\nOther than that, in normal times, it's not so much an issue on the whole. Don't be, like, a Georgist or something, and you'll do ok.", "replies": [{"id": "gei07ia", "text": "&gt; Georgist \n\nNice, I want let people know about these convictions.", "replies": [{"id": "gei3jk8", "text": "If you're actually a Georgist, what's the point in getting involved in a business (CRE brokerage) where your beliefs are at such odds with a vast portion of your potential clientele?", "replies": [{"id": "gek0sbj", "text": "I am embarrassed that I had never encountered Georgism before you introduced it. It looks like parts of it could be marshaled by the libertarians/social democrats for some kind of UBI. Replacing all taxes with one tax on land??  Slowly reducing the power of landlords? \n\nYeah that is not the t-shirt I would wear to meetings, but its interesting to know about and I can see that this line of thinking is probably picking up steam in the planning community. \n\nAs far as beliefs and work: you are right to a certain extent, though I am sure that there are millions of people that have personal views that conflict with their industry (such as people in oil &amp; gas that want a green energy economy, or quakers in the military, or social conservatives in tech). \n\nWe all have to find a way in this crazy world, I am just trying to figure out what I am getting into. It sounds fine, mostly fiscal conservatives and moderate democrats who keep things professional. I can live with that. \n\nThanks for your replies and the intro to Georgism.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "gek1e83", "text": "Yeah, undoing the 1031 is going be tough. I think there are enough voices whispering in his ear to make sure that they don't do away with like kinds. \n\nCapital gains are probably going up, that is just par for the course it seems with any Democrat. I think people can survive that, especially since it won't be so radical. \n\nIt also seems that the big CRE shops gave equal amounts to both candidates, so I am sure they will have a comfortable seat at the table with the new administration. If they do make big changes, they will likely be offset with new benefits (partially, hopefully).", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gehs3vs", "text": "How do you network and meet potential clients?  Political activism is one way to do it.  I know people who network by volunteering with a local chapter of a political party until they work their way up to rubbing elbows with the serious money.  Politics cannot be avoided if you take that route, or if you work with someone who is taking that route.", "replies": [{"id": "gek0xhs", "text": "I will hit up the Bernie 2024 bus, see how many acquisitions I can stitch together from the $27 crowd. Who knows?", "replies": [{"id": "gelki8x", "text": "There are viable strategies, but that is not one of them.  Clinton/Biden supporters would be more likely.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gehtc6g", "text": "I'm in a very blue city and our firm is a mixed bag. I think our firm does a very good job of separating out what is good for our investments, vs. their own personal opinions. Many of the republicans I know are traditional in nature and I only know one adamant MAGA-type. In fact, the most vocal people I know are all liberal. When I look at contacts outside the firm, I have a hard time pinning down any type of political affiliation.", "replies": [{"id": "gei0p2k", "text": "That sounds fine. I can live with all that. Thanks for your opinion.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "gek0umh", "text": "This is reassuring. Thanks.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "geigku1", "text": "Well first of all, politics shouldn't really come up often in the workplace except in discussion of how some news may affect the market/project/transaction. Although in the current climate it's unavoidable at times.\n\nThat being said, it is a right-leaning industry, but the people I have worked with are also smart, level-headed individuals, not the MAGA crowd. Not one senior person in my current company approves of Trump.\n\nUltimately I think regardless of your views, as long as you aren't forcing them on anyone it's not a problem.", "replies": [{"id": "gejxw77", "text": "Yet another insightful reply, and exactly what I was trying to figure out. It sounds like its mostly fiscal conservatives that like to focus on their industry.... that's fine. I just was thinking that if it's full on psycho (like in other industries) that I would rather not bother.\n\nAnd yeah, not coming into the shop trying to preach the class struggle, just trying to make some money like everyone else. \n\nThanks", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "geinulo", "text": "People only care about two things:\n\n1. Are you making the company money?\n2. Are you making your boss's life easier / look good to his boss?\n\nIf the answer is yes to the above, you need not worry about differences in politics. CRE values performance more than anything and if you're performing and in a shop that's performing, everyone's going to be focused on getting deals done etc and not so much about politics and movement. Not sure if that answers your question, I guess I'm trying to saying is focus on the work, if you like it, do it and if you're good at it, you have nothing to worry about. \n\nThat being said, CRE is generally right-leaning given it's more based on hierarchies and the 'old boys network', however all that goes to dust if you're a top performer. No one's going to care if you didn't go to \\[insert prestigious school here\\] or grew up in \\[insert bougey neighborhood here\\] if you're bringing in deals and crushing.", "replies": [{"id": "gejxmh1", "text": "Your answer is valuable and it's contributing towards a trend. Yes, CRE is right leaning, but if you can bring deals in the door, nobody is going to care about your Trotskyism (so long as it doesn't bring shade to your crew and boss). \n\nAll of it sounds totally tolerable. I think the folks I'm around now are outliers with all the weird conspiracy talk and cult of personality stuff. \n\nThanks.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]