End Citizens United // Let America Vote (ECU // LAV) today endorsed Attorney General Dana Nessel and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for reelection as part of its first ever “Democracy Defender” program for preeminent Attorney General and Secretary of State candidates in the 2022 cycle. These constitutional officers are critical in the fight in combating dark money-fueled restrictive voting laws being passed across the country and protecting the right to vote. ECU // LAV will spend $7 million in key races across the country, including in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Texas.
Click here for CNN’s coverage of the endorsement.
“Secretary Benson and Attorney General Nessel have emerged as leaders among leaders when it comes to protecting the right to vote and ensuring the sanctity of our elections. Since being elected, Benson and Nessel have put their focus on reforming Michigan’s redistricting process, increasing Michiganders’ ability to vote, and defending the integrity of Michigan elections. Their work on bipartisan reforms like automatic voter registration and expanding vote-by-mail have made them national leaders on protecting the freedom to vote,” said ECU // LAV President Tiffany Muller. “As dark money attacks on democracy ramp up, the people of Michigan need Attorney General Nessel and Secretary Benson in office to protect their voice and vote. We are proud to endorse them and look forward to helping them win reelection next November.”
“I am honored that End Citizens United and Let America Vote stand with us to ensure that every vote will be counted and every voice will be heard,” Benson said. “Together, we will continue fighting so every American knows the truth: The 2020 election was the safest and most secure in our state and nation’s history.”
“In 2020, people realized just how important it is to have the right people elected to the offices of attorney general and secretary of state, and the role that we have played in defending our democracy,” said Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel. “I will continue to defend our right to vote, and efforts to expand access to the ballot box. Partnerships with groups like End Citizens United and Let America Vote only bolster this important work.”
First elected in 2018, Secretary Benson has fought vigorously for critical anti corruption and voting rights reforms in Michigan like establishing an independent redistricting commission and expanding access to the ballot box through no-excuse absentee voting, and same-day, automatic, and online voter registration. These reforms were widely popular in Michigan, passing with the support of two-thirds of Michigan voters. In March 2021, Benson testified in front of the Senate Rules Committee alongside ECU // LAV President Tiffany Muller emphasizing the necessity of passing the For the People Act (H.R.1/S.1). Benson noted in her testimony that the reforms she made in Michigan were similar to those in the For the People Act. She highlighted that they worked well in increasing voter turnout and had broad support from Michiganders of both political parties.
Elected in 2018 as the first Democrat to hold the office of Michigan Attorney General since 2003, Nessel immediately got to work fighting for the people of Michigan, pushing back on Republican attempts to undermine Michigan’s absentee voting system and standing up to special interests like big oil. During former President Trump’s attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, Attorney General Nessel was a leading voice against false GOP claims of election fraud. Currently, her office is investigating false claims of election fraud within Michigan.
ECU // LAV raised and spent $65.5 million in the 2020 election cycle. Its $12.5 million independent expenditure made it the 5th largest issue group spending on the Democratic side. This will be the first time ECU // LAV is making a multi-million dollar investment in AG and SOS races. The “Democracy Defender” program is part of ECU // LAV’s Fight for Reform (FFR) project that supports candidates at the state and local level.
End Citizens United and Let America Vote merged in 2020. The group is dedicated to combating the two biggest challenges facing our democracy: the corrosive impact of Big Money and attempts to block access to the ballot box. ECU // LAV has more than four million members nationwide, including 214,227 in Michigan.
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