D.C. residents want their government back from special interests and Mayor Bowser should sign the citizen-financed election bill passed unanimously by the City Council. I testified in support of this legislation because I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact citizen-financed elections can bring about after I helped pass Connecticut’s Citizens’ Election Program.  

Citizen-funded election programs like the one just sent to the Mayor’s desk allow elected officials to concentrate on representing their constituents instead of worrying constantly about raising money and trying to stay on the good side of deep-pocketed special interests. This program will help return democracy to every District resident and limit the ability of the very richest to buy undue influence.