Jonathon Berman, jonathon.berman@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC -- Today, Mayor Bowser, following the Council of the District of Columbia’s unanimous support for the legislation, signed the Fair Elections Act of 2017. This bill incentivizes those seeking political office to reject corporate contributions in favor of contributions from District residents by providing a five-to-one match for small individual campaign contributions available only for those only accepting donations from individuals.
In response, Rebekah Whilden, Organizer, Sierra Club DC Chapter, released the following statement:
“The same people whose voices have traditionally been drowned out by corporate contributions are the people who made today possible. For too long, the majority of candidates have put their campaign’s focus on fundraising from corporations rather than the people’s concerns. Now, outside corporations polluting our air, water, and climate will not be able to pollute our democracy with their dirty money. Now, we the people will be the ones our politicians seek out and work to put first.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.