Four House challengers make getting money out of politics a key pillar of their campaign, pledge to not accept corporate PAC donations
Washington, D.C. — End Citizens United (ECU) today is endorsing a group of candidates who are standing up against Big Money by rejecting corporate PACs contributions in each of their campaigns.
ECU’s “No Corporate PAC” endorsements include Jason Crow (CO-06), Dean Phillips (MN-03), Andy Kim (NJ-03) and Anthony Brindisi (NY-22). All four candidates have pledged not to accept corporate PAC money, a sign of their commitment to stand up against the outsized role of corporate special interests in our elections. In sharp contrast, their incumbent opponents have accepted a combined $9 million from corporate PACs over the course of their careers in Congress.
“These are four candidates who come from different districts but each recognizes the damage Big Money is causing to our democracy,” said Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United. “In refusing money from corporate PACs, these candidates have shown that they will be accountable to the people and not the corporate interests trying to buy our elections.”
With a recent study showing Americans’ faith in the government at an all time low with over 90% of voters believing special interests are running the government, a robust reform agenda is critical to winning support from voters. A recent ECU poll found that 62% of voters believe that a candidate who refuses to accept corporate PAC money is a sign that the candidate is serious about reform. A money in politics reform message has also been proven to help move voters, particularly among Independents and unaffiliated voters.
“I am honored to have the support of End Citizens United in our fight to restore the voice of Coloradan families in our democracy,” said Jason Crow, candidate for Colorado’s 6th district. “Corporate special interests have been buying our elections for too long; that is why I am taking the pledge to not accept corporate PAC money for my campaign. As our democratic institutions are under assault more than ever, it is critical that we restore transparency and accountability to our elections. Just as I have taken an oath to defend the Constitution as a soldier and a lawyer, I will do so as a member of Congress and work with ECU to overturn Citizens United and fight for campaign finance reform.”
“I am honored to earn the endorsement of End Citizens United. I believe the corrupting influence of money in politics is a threat to our democracy and a root cause of many of the problems our country faces today. That’s why I will not accept money from PACs, federal lobbyists or special interest groups in my campaign for Congress in Minnesota’s 3rd District,” said Dean Phillips, candidate for Minnesota’s 3rd district. “I look forward to working with ECU and like-minded Americans of all political perspectives to encourage and accomplish comprehensive campaign finance reform.”
“I’m running for Congress because my home district deserves a representative that focuses on people, not special interests,” said Andy Kim, candidate for New Jersey’s 3rd district. “I pledge to not take a dime from corporations and corporate PACs because I’m running a people-powered campaign. I hope my opponent, Tom MacArthur, will do the same. After MacArthur authored TrumpCare and got that bill passed through the House, Trump threw him a massive fundraiser at a Trump golf course, and MacArthur raised more money from corporations and PACs run by the Koch Brothers and Paul Ryan than he did from individual people. I’m proud to receive the endorsement of End Citizens United and to bring our democracy back to the people.”
“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of End Citizens United, a group that champions campaign finance reform. The onslaught of untraceable, secret money is a stain on our democracy,” said Anthony Brindisi, candidate for New York’s 22nd district. “I am extremely concerned with the direction of spending in politics where grassroots support is drowned out by corporate outside spending. As a member of the New York State Legislature, I have been a strong voice in favor of reforming our broken campaign finance system and as congressman will fight to fix the rigged system.”
The early endorsements will allow ECU to connect its 360,000 grassroots donors with the campaigns to help ensure they have the resources to win. This cycle, ECU has raised already $2 million for its endorsed candidates through small-dollar, grassroots donations. ECU will also work to elevate campaign finance reform as a critical campaign issue in these districts.
ECU is an entirely grassroots-funded organization dedicated to electing members of Congress who will fight to overturn Citizens United and pass meaningful campaign finance reform.
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