Photo courtesy Grantham for Congress. Click to learn more.
Air Force and aviation industry veteran Travis Grantham, a candidate for Arizona’s fifth congressional district, has received the first ARSA Political Action Committee (PAC) contribution of the 2026 election cycle. Grantham is running as a Republican to replace Rep. Andy Biggs (R), who is retiring from Congress to run for Arizona governor.
A third-generation Arizonan, Grantham enlisted in the United States Air Force/Arizona National Guard’s (ANG) 161st Air Refueling Wing while in college. He trained and served as an aircraft maintenance technician on the KC-135E Stratotanker, achieving the rank of staff sergeant.
Following his graduation from Arizona State University, Grantham was selected for pilot training, commissioned as a second lieutenant, and earned his wings in August 2003. He currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel and serves as an aircraft commander, evaluator, and instructor pilot in the ANG with more than 3,000 hours in the KC135. He is also the 161st Air Refueling Wing’s deputy operations group commander.
Grantham joined ARSA member International Air Response (IAR) as a vice president in 2003 and purchased the company with his brother Bill (the current president) in 2009. Grantham served as IAR’s chief operations officer for several years before selling his interest.
In addition to his aviation experience, Grantham served in the Arizona State Legislature, including four years as speaker pro tempore.
“It’s not often that we see candidates with Travis’ background run for Congress,” ARSA Executive Vice President Christian Klein said. “We think his leadership experience in the military, politics, and aviation will make him a highly effective representative for a state with a big aerospace sector.”
ARSA PAC’s $1000 contribution to Grantham’s campaign was delivered on June 27. ARSA PAC is supported entirely by personal contributions from senior employees and owners of ARSA member companies. The resources are used to help congressional candidates who share ARSA’s commitment to reasonable and efficient regulatory oversight, the free market, and entrepreneurship.
To learn more about Grantham, click here. To learn more about ARSA PAC, click here or read below.
In Washington, if you’re not at the table then you’re on the menu. Elected officials constantly consider policies that will directly impact the maintenance industry’s business. Many of them do so while knowing very little about aviation and even less about repair stations.
How can maintenance providers change that? ARSA’s legislative program provides a variety of resources. By working with the association, member organizations can become the kind of active constituents that make a difference. While the business of governing is completely separate from the effort of campaigning for office, it’s important to participate in the never-ending process of selecting members of Congress.
ARSA’s Political Action Committee (ARSA PAC) is a tool through which individuals in the aviation industry can amplify their political impact. ARSA PAC is a special fund that allows financial contributions to U.S. House and Senate candidates who support the legislative goals of the industry.
Only executive, management and administrative employees of ARSA member companies who have given solicitation permission can contribute. These employees must be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents (e.g., “green card” holders). ARSA PAC can only accept personal (not corporate) contributions.
To get more information about ARSA PAC, complete the solicitation consent form below. Completing the form in no way obligates you to financially support the PAC, it simply allows the association to provide more information (including how to actually give money). Providing this consent is the first step to helping provide the resources necessary to have our collective voice heard in the legislative decision-making process.
If you have questions about ARSA PAC or the legislative program in general, contact Executive Vice President Christian A. Klein (christian.klein@arsa.org).
