Press Releases

End Citizens United Endorses Ritchie Torres in NY-15

Jan 28, 2020

Torres is part of a new generation of Bronx leaders and is rejecting corporate PAC money

Torres is consolidating local support and is the clear progressive choice to lead NY-15 forward

As a New York City Council Member, Torres sponsored legislation to strengthen public financing

End Citizens United (ECU) today endorsed Ritchie Torres for Congress in New York’s Fifteenth Congressional District. ECU’s endorsement coincides with Torres’ announcement to reject corporate PAC money, proving he’ll always put the people of the Bronx ahead of corporate special interests. As a New York City Council member, Ritchie Torres fought against the corrupting influence of money in politics by sponsoring legislation to strengthen public financing, permit campaign funds to be used for necessary childcare, increase transparency of funding behind independent expenditures, and require public-facing disclosure of campaign spending.

“Ritchie Torres is the clear progressive choice to represent the Bronx in this critical race and is unifying New Yorkers with his grassroots campaign,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller. “As a candidate for city council, Ritchie saw first-hand how public financing removes the power of Big Money from elections and empowers small-dollar donors. He’s building on that commitment to reform by rejecting corporate PAC money and taking on corruption in government. Ritchie is part of a new generation of bold leaders standing up to corporate special interests. End Citizens United is proud to endorse Ritchie Torres, and our grassroots members are eager to help elect another reformer to Congress.”

Torres has consolidated support from major local unions and national groups such as the Hotel Trades Council, Laborers LiUNA, Congressional Hispanic Caucus BOLD PAC, Victory Fund and Equality PAC.

bipartisan poll shows that a majority of American voters see corruption in the political system as the most serious problem facing the country, especially among independents. The poll also finds that unlimited, undisclosed political contributions and the influence of big money in politics are seen as major problems. 60 percent of voters believe that the amount of corporate special interest money in politics affects their lives and 83 percent of voters support disclosure of contributions engaged in electoral politics.

ECU is dedicated to getting Big Money out of politics and fixing the rigged system in Washington D.C. so government works for all Americans. The reform group has four million members nationwide, including 3,500 in New York’s Fifteenth Congressional District, and is entirely grassroots-funded with an average donation of just $14.

###