As the kids say, "We're cooking with gas!"

A mere 24 hours after launching my campaign as an uncompromised advocate of getting big money out of politics, implementing public financing of elections, and dialing back corporate “personhood” rights to overturn Citizens United, we’ve scored our first victory.

Another candidate, the Middle Berkshire Register of Deeds, Andrea Nuciforo, Jr., issued a statement last night endorsing public financing of House and Senate elections.

I commend him. He’s come a long way. In 2002-03, as a state senator, Andy helped to undermine and then repeal one of the few public financing laws in the country, the 1998 voter-approved Clean Elections law in Massachusetts. During his time in the state senate, he also raised quite a lot of money from PACs, corporate insiders and especially lobbyists. And he's had very little to say on these issues of big money since announcing his 2012 campaign for Congress two-and-a-half-years ago, in July, 2009.

So I'm thrilled that he’s finally on board with those of us who have long advocated getting this money and influence out of our democracy. The more voices advocating for these necessary changes, the better.

And in the “imitation is the highest form of flattery” department, his statement also says, with regard to big money, that “Enough is enough.” That sounds a lot like the banner that's on every page of my website launched Monday: “ENOUGH!” Good to know he feels the same way we do!

I look forward to other candidates, in this race and across the country, embracing these necessary reforms. Next up? Candidates must only accept small contributions of up to $99 from individuals instead of $1,000 and $2,500 checks from a narrow elite; vow to never accept contributions from PACs and lobbyists and to return any of that money already in their campaign accounts, and pledge to never become a lobbyist themselves.

These are essential first steps if we’re to make real progress on economic fairness, creating jobs that pay a living wage, providing quality health care for all, and so many other issues. We must break the stranglehold of big money.

Onward,
Bill