RALEIGH – The following is a statement from Bob Phillips, executive director of Common Cause NC, in response to news today of indictments of NC Republican Party Chairman Robin Hayes and three political donors on bribery charges.

“We are deeply concerned about these serious allegations of attempted public corruption. This case is a sobering reminder of our broken campaign finance system in which wealthy donors are far too often given unfair access to elected officials. It’s time to enact common-sense reforms that will guard against the corrosive influence of money in politics. The public deserves a campaign finance system that ensures our government works for all people, and not just wealthy special interests. A key step would be re-establishing public campaign financing for state insurance commissioner elections and expanding the program to all Council of State offices.”

Common Cause NC is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy.