By Drew Gerber
End Citizens United endorsed Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-03) for Senate on Tuesday, noting the Democrat’s role in pushing campaign finance reform in the House.
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver (D), also running for the Democratic nomination, has made campaign finance reform a key part of her campaign. However, a source familiar with the decision to endorse Luján said it was Luján’s position in leadership shepherding the passage of bills like H.R. 1—an electoral reform bill—and his success as DCCC chairman in creating a freshman class energized around getting money out of politics that won him the group’s endorsement.
Toulouse Oliver spokeswoman Heather Brewer, in a statement: “We fully expect Washington organizations to endorse the Congressman. The real question is: Will the Congressman return the more than $200,000 he has taken from corporate PACs for this race and will he walk the walk on these issues?”
ECU does not require candidates to reject corporate PAC money to win its endorsement, and while Luján has not commented on whether he will return corporate money he accepted before launching his Senate campaign, it does not appear to be a sticking point for the PAC. (Hotline reporting)