David Vance

National Media Strategist

Expertise

Meet David…

David Vance is the National Media Strategist for Common Cause. He works with staff at the national and state level to generate media to amplify the voice and strategically advance the democracy reform agenda of the national organization and its 35 state offices.

Prior to joining Common Cause in 2016, David spent a decade as the director of communications and research at the Campaign Legal Center, working on campaign finance, voting rights and government ethics issues. During his time there, the media profile of the organization grew exponentially and in 2014 it received a MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions.

David has an extensive background in public relations and journalism. He has served as public affairs director for an international trade association and worked for two public relations firms in Washington, DC where he handled public affairs, public relations and crisis issues both nationally and internationally for a broad range of corporate, association and non-profit clients.

Before entering the public relations field, David worked for several news bureaus in Washington, DC, WCAX-TV in Burlington, Vermont as well as The Washington Post.

David is a native of Washington, DC and holds an M.S.J. from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from George Mason University.

The Latest From David Vance

Common Cause Condemns YouTube’s Irresponsible and Dangerous Decision to Allow Election Lies

Press Release

Common Cause Condemns YouTube’s Irresponsible and Dangerous Decision to Allow Election Lies

Today, YouTube announced it will rescind its prohibition on content that espouses election denialism and disinformation about the 2020 elections. This move comes as more 2024 candidates (including former president Trump) engage in public events which may be hosted on the platform.

Unions, public interest advocates thwart hedge fund’s attempted takeover of local news and set groundbreaking FCC precedent  

Press Release

Unions, public interest advocates thwart hedge fund’s attempted takeover of local news and set groundbreaking FCC precedent  

“Today’s developments are a resounding win – we say YES to long term investment in local newsrooms that make America’s democracy stronger,” said Kathay Feng, Vice President for Programs at Common Cause.

Common Cause Testimony for House Hearing on  Political Speech

Press Release

Common Cause Testimony for House Hearing on  Political Speech

Today at 9:30 a.m., the Committee on House Administration will hold a hearing on “American Confidence in Elections: Protecting Political Speech.” Stephen Spaulding, Common Cause Vice President for Policy & External Affairs, will be testifying. His testimony submitted in advance of the hearing discusses the myriad threats that undermine public confidence in our democracy and offered several solutions as well. He includes voter suppression and gerrymandering as hugely detrimental to public confidence and focuses his testimony on the...

Common Cause Members Weigh in on NTIA Broadband Rollout

Press Release

Common Cause Members Weigh in on NTIA Broadband Rollout

Today, Common Cause submitted comments in response to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Request for Comments on the implementation of broadband programs in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The comments draw heavily on input from 2,500 Common Cause members contending with the digital divide who weighed in during a canvas of the organization’s 1.5 million members.

Common Cause Veterans Kathay Feng and Stephen Spaulding Step Into VP Roles

Press Release

Common Cause Veterans Kathay Feng and Stephen Spaulding Step Into VP Roles

Common Cause is pleased to announce that two Common Cause veterans have stepped into the role of vice president at the government watchdog. Longtime Common Cause leader Kathay Feng will step into the role of Vice President for Programs and Stephen Spaulding is returning to Common Cause from his role as Policy Director of the U.S. Senate Rules Committee and will serve as Vice President for Policy & External Affairs. Together the two will help lead Common Cause’s national efforts to reduce barriers to a more representative democracy. They will...

Judiciary Committees Urged to Call Justice Thomas as a Witness in Supreme Court Ethics Hearings

Press Release

Judiciary Committees Urged to Call Justice Thomas as a Witness in Supreme Court Ethics Hearings

Today, Common Cause urged the House and Senate Judiciary Committees to call Justice Clarence Thomas as a witness in hearings to examine Supreme Court ethics in the wake of the latest scandal to engulf the nation’s highest court. Recent reporting by ProPublica revealed that for more than two decades Justice Thomas failed to report luxury gifts and vacations he received from billionaire Republican donor Harlan Crow. 

Public Interest Champion Gigi Sohn Withdraws Nomination to FCC

Press Release

Public Interest Champion Gigi Sohn Withdraws Nomination to FCC

“Senate treatment of this nomination has been, from beginning to end, sad, shoddy, and shameful.  And its treatment of Ms. Sohn a despicable dereliction of duty and honor.  A win for big-spending special interests, to be sure, but a tragic loss for the common good.

We are disappointed that Ms. Sohn will be unable to serve as FCC Commissioner. She is a public interest champion who has spent her entire career advocating for policies that make broadband more affordable and accessible, defending an open internet, and promoting...

TEGNA-Standard General-Apollo Merger Dealt Blow with Hearing Designation Order

Press Release

TEGNA-Standard General-Apollo Merger Dealt Blow with Hearing Designation Order

Today, the Federal Communications Commission issued a Hearing Designation Order referring certain questions regarding the TEGNA-Standard General-Apollo Global Management before an Administrative Law Judge. The Order specifically questions how the transaction could artificially raise prices for consumers and result in newsroom job losses. Common Cause has filed a petition to deny and other pleadings opposed to this merger.

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