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“People who have more money should be free to buy more cars, more homes, more vacations, and more gizmos than the rest of us. They should not be able to buy more democracy." -Bill Moyers |
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For Immediate Release: August 1, 2005
California candidates and political committees are scheduled to report the results of their fundraising efforts from the first half of 2005 today. Trying to position themselves favorably, the campaigns of the 2006 gubernatorial candidates have already released totals to the press. But while all the candidates are benefiting from California's indulgent campaign finance law, none have offered solutions to make California elections less about wealth and more about reflecting the will of voters in the state, according to campaign finance watchdog TheRestofUs.org. "With candidates Westly and Angelides each sitting on nearly $20 million and Governor Schwarzenegger having raised another $20 million for his agenda in just six short months, it's clear that wealthy interests are being represented in California," said Ned Wigglesworth, analyst for TheRestofUs.org. "But what about the rest of us? Until candidates begin offering and pursuing serious proposals to end the hegemony of wealthy interests over California elections, regular Californians can count on being left out in the cold when it comes to elections and government." State Treasurer Phil Angelides reports raising $4.3 million in 2005, $3.6 million of which came from donors who contributed $2,000 or more. State controller Steve Westly has provided $15 million of his campaign funds from his own personal fortune. Neither candidate has announced an official position on campaign finance reform. Governor Schwarzenegger has raised the vast majority of his funds in 2005 from a handful of contributors, some of which have contributed as much as $1 million. He officially favors a prohibition on fundraising during the budget session, but has done nothing to further such a bill. "California's campaign laws have created a monster,
ensuring that only candidates who are rich or cater to the
rich can run for office and get elected," said Wigglesworth.
"Each and every single Californian deserves a system
in which the quality of their representation does not depend
on the quantity of cash in their bank account." #-#-# TheRestofUs.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit
organization working to make democracy work for ordinary citizens.
TheRestofUs.org is involved in campaign finance ballot measures
in Oregon and Ohio and independent redistricting policy in California,
Florida, and Ohio. We will soon file an amicus brief asking
the U.S. Supreme Court to review and uphold Vermont’s mandatory
spending limits. We also support federal efforts to eliminate
the 527 loophole for soft money electioneering.
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