Gary Holder-Winfield & Clean Elections

Below is a press release I just received.

I have "bolded/red-ed" the last line because it is important to my own beliefs.

You are of course entitled to your own beliefs about entitlement and corruption in the political process./snark

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chris Campbell
Tel: (203) 212-8683
Email: chris@gary2013.com

NATIONAL CLEAN ELECTION ADVOCATES
TURN TO HOLDER-WINFIELD:
Democracy Matters invites Holder-Winfield
to Lead Final Push for Clean Elections in NY

Following on his own national work fighting for clean election laws, Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield has been invited by Democracy Matters to lead their final push to pass clean election reforms through the New York state legislature. Democracy Matters is a national public advocacy group devoted to clean election and campaign finance reform. Gary Holder-Winfield was the keynote speaker at their 2011 national student summit and has worked with them in the past, in addition to his testimony in 2009 to save Connecticut's clean elections fund, which you can read about here. Gary has also been a strong supporter of clean elections research, working with Yale political scientists to study the effects of Citizens United on voter behavior.

On Tuesday, Gary will be traveling to Albany to continue his work with Democracy Matters and other activists. He will spend the day meeting with key state Senators to push for the passage of a public financing system for New York similar to public financing systems established in Connecticut. The bill has already passed the NY House, but needs to pass the NY Senate before their session ends on June 20. Known not only for his national advocacy for clean elections but also for his effectiveness in passing legislation in legislative 'crunch-time', Gary has been brought in to push for the bill's passage in time for Cuomo to sign it into law.

“I believe in campaign finance laws establishing systems of ‘clean elections’ because they allow not only for the voices of normal people to have an effect in politics but affords those individuals the opportunity to run where special interest money usually dominates,” says Gary. “I've been championing clean elections for many years because I know the dangers of money in politics. Money, not ideas becomes the driving force in our politics.”

 Gary has seen the other end of money in politics having endured issues with a campaign treasurer in the past accused of taking money from his campaign. Holder-Winfield worked with authorities to deal with those issues head on. “The other thing important about a well designed system is that where there are issues they can be seen quickly and we can ensure that the public's trust is maintained,” Holder-Winfield recently asserted “and that is part of why I advocate for a system that is open, transparent and public. It is the basis for why we've signed the Clean Primary Pledge, which commits us to the Democracy Fund 100%, not just when it's convenient. The rules exist to allow the people a voice, that is not something you work around. The people of New Haven deserve someone who respects them and can stand by their principles.”

“I'm running to be a new kind of mayor, that's why we're running a new kind of campaign.”

Now that seven candidates have entered the field, Gary Holder-Winfield is still the only candidate to have signed the Clean Primary Pledge.

Did You Notice? It's Spring!

Common Cause CT's Annual Spring Event is coming up. Although the invitation below is illegible I had to post it because it is so pretty.  Here are the pertinent points: 

"America the Possible"

Wednesday May 22nd   6pm - 8:30pm
 The Hartford Club - 46 Prospect St - Hartford,CT
Special Guest James Gustave (Gus) Speth

RSVP to khynes@commoncause.org or call 860-549-1220

Suggested Donation $75

Orange Democrats and Independents

I was a guest at the Orange Democratic Town Committee meeting this week and really enjoyed it. Trish Pearson makes sure this an informative, open discussion combining issues and elections.

All three of the people running for State Representative were in attendance: Representative Paul Davis, who has been doing an excellent job for several years, and new candidates James Maroney and Aldon Hynes.  All three are running for office within the Citizens' Election Program ("Clean Elections Program") and are accepting contributions as low as $5 per person and with a cap of $100 per person. 

That keeps the big shots to a minimum and gives a voice to regular working people!

James Maroney has already received enough small contributions to qualify for a grant. Representative Davis has been busy in Hartford so still needs a few more contributions, but Aldon Hynes is just beginning his campaign.

Hynes works full time at The Community Health Center, so his door-knocking time is limited to evenings and weekends.

A recent email from him stated:

"Right now, my top priority is to get 150 donations of between five and a hundred dollars from people in Woodbridge, Orange and Derby.  This includes people 12 years and older from anywhere in the Woodbridge, Orange and Derby, whether or not it is part of the 114th Assembly District.  Two checks of $50 each from a husband and wife, are more valuable than one check of $100 from either the husband or the wife.  This will qualify the campaign to receive over $25,000 from the Citizens Election Program.  June 30th is the end of this quarter, and we hope to make as strong a showing as possible.  So, please, donate today.  You can download a donation form and send it to the campaign, or donate online at our website."

Aldon Hynes's campaign finally offers an alternative to the Republican candidate! Please sign on to donate a small amount and support the Democratic Process. The website is http://hynes2012.org

Photo by Bill Dauphin of Aldon and I in 2008 at an event. I am hiding my double chin, not swearing in Italian.