For years, Democrats have recognized that big money has distorted our democracy – but too often accepted the idea that meaningful reform was out of reach. I didn’t accept that
This past year, I authored the California Fair Elections Act, legislation that will appear on the upcoming November ballot and gives voters the power to repeal California’s outdated ban on public financing. In a post–Citizens United world, this is one of the most meaningful steps California can take to push back against a system that rewards wealth over grassroots support.
Let me be clear about what this does and why it matters.
The California Fair Elections Act does not mandate public financing. It restores local and state authority to adopt fair, accountable public financing systems if voters choose to do so. It levels the playing field, reduces candidates’ dependence on wealthy donors, and opens the door for working people, women, and candidates of color to run viable campaigns without selling their time to big-money interests.
That’s why the bill is backed by the organizations that have led the fight for clean elections for decades.
The California Clean Money Campaign called it a chance to “reduce the power of Big Money in politics and strengthen democracy.”
California Common Cause said it allows voters to “take back the power and decide how elections are funded, giving everyday people more influence in political outcomes.”
The League of Women Voters of California said this reform moves us toward elections where candidates “listen to voters instead of chasing money.”
These groups understand what Democratic delegates understand: Citizens United didn’t just change campaign finance law. It warped our democracy. Unlimited spending didn’t empower voters, it sidelined them.
Experience only matters if you use it to take on entrenched problems, not manage around them. Writing this bill wasn’t symbolic. It was about delivering a concrete tool to reduce the role of money in politics and putting that choice directly in voters’ hands.
As Democrats, we should support candidates who don’t just share our values, but who have proven they can turn those values into action.
I respectfully ask for your support for my campaign for the State Board of Equalization.
Together, we can show that California Democrats are serious about fixing a broken system.