End Citizens United Unveils "Champions of Democracy" Slate

As we approach the final weeks of the election, End Citizens United is unveiling our first Champions of Democracy slate federal candidates who will lead the fight for reform in Washington.

Weve selected these candidates because they understand the need to bring transformational change to our broken political system, and they have publicly committed to supporting sweeping reform measures. Each of them is also in a highly competitive race meaning that our members help for them can and will make a crucial difference on November 8th.

Our slate includes :

Hillary Clinton candidate for President

Catherine Cortez Masto candidate for Senate from Nevada

Russ Feingold candidate for Senate from Wisconsin

Maggie Hassan candidate for Senate from New Hampshire

Jason Kander candidate for Senate from Missouri

Katie McGinty candidate for Senate from Pennsylvania

Deborah Ross candidate for Senate from North Carolina

Ruben Kihuen candidate for House from NV-04

Stephanie Murphy candidate for House from FL-07

Steve Santarsiero candidate for House from PA-08

Brad Schneider candidate for House from IL-10

Zephyr Teachout candidate for House from NY-19

Monica Vernon candidate for House from IA-01

These candidates arent just committed to overturning Citizens United theyre determined to institute other key reforms, such as closing loopholes in disclosure laws, keeping former Members of Congress from lobbying, and stopping the flow of secret dark money.

At the top of the ticket, Hillary Clinton has made a ground-breaking commitment to push for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United in her first 30 days in office and thats not all. Shes also been outspoken about the need for robust disclosure laws, as well as matching funds for small-dollar donors that will ensure the voices of regular voters arent drowned out by billionaires cash. Shell also nominate Supreme Court Justices who recognize the damage Citizens United has caused, giving us a majority on the Court who oppose the misguided ruling.

Like Hillary, our other Champions of Democracy have been fighting powerful special interests throughout their careers, and they understand that Big Money Billionaires wont sit idly by as we close off the means of their undue influence. One of our Champions, Russ Feingold, has won this battle in Congress before. Thanks in large part to his leadership, Congress passed the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act in 2003 a law that helped slow the flow of outside money in politics, until the Supreme Court stepped in. Russ has pressed for reform for decades, and he knows every trick in Mitch McConnells book. Were fortunate that he may soon be leading the fight for reform in the Senate once again.

Similarly, Zephyr Teachout, one of our Champions running for the House of Representatives, literally wrote the book on fighting political corruption. She has exactly the kind of expertise we need in Congress. We can count on Zephyr to lead the fight in the House, and to constantly tell the truth to the American people about whats really going on behind the scenes in the halls of the Capitol.

These candidates are prepared for this fight. Theyll remain vigilant in the face of powerful opposition. Theyll be ready to close off new loopholes as quickly as Washington lawyers and lobbyists can find and exploit them.

By electing some of the finest leaders in the country on this issue, we can protect the integrity of our elections and the integrity of our government.

Our democracy promises that every American has a voice and a vote. By working with these champions, were fighting to make sure that our voices are never drowned out by billionaires and special interests.

Help our members support these candidates at EndCitizensUnited.org .

(Cross posted on Daily Kos)