Together We Will HoCO hosts forum on money in politics

Congressmen Sarbanes calls for public campaign funds

Report by Becca F, Represent Maryland volunteer
​Edited by Cristi D, Chair

Represent MD was in good company at the Campaign Finance Reform talk hosted by Together We Will Howard County on Sunday night. The panel included Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD), Valerie Ervin from Working Families, Jenifer Bevan-Dangel from Common Cause, Charlie Cooper from Get Money Out of Maryland and representatives from MD PIRG and Progressive Maryland. Though distinct in their tactics, every panelist has the same end goal as Represent MD- making elections fair and representative for voters.
The concerns of the audience members and the panelists reflected the issues addressed in the Anti-Corruption Act. Attendees were concerned that they have been ignored while politicians have been yielding to wealthy special interests. Federal politicians are concerned that they are unable to go a day without making calls asking for donations, and that they cannot use that time to effectively do their jobs. The cycle of money is pervasive.

One audience member asked how someone should support politicians when they are getting 20-30 emails a day asking for money. Congressman Sarbanes responded that, “I would support organizations you trust who inform you on where candidates fall on the issues.” On the issue of campaign finance reform, Represent MD is looking to do just that. Be on the lookout for our Clean Money Campaign and our Political Endorsees campaign to see which politicians are endorsing our goals from the Anti-Corruption Act, and which ones are running citizen funded small-donor campaigns to earn your votes.  
Change can happen if we demand it.
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