CWA Stands with Democracy Initiative Partners for Fair Elections in Washington, DC

CWA joined with Democracy Initiative partners this week to support legislation in the Washington, DC, City Council to give candidates supported by small donors a better shot at competing for office.

The bill, introduced by D.C. Councilmember David Grosso, will provide a limited match to small-donor contributions, empowering community-based campaigns against politicians who rely on super PACs and corporate giving.

"The reality is that these super PACs are being rejected by voters across the country on a regular basis. They are being told we don't want big money in politics," Grosso said.

D.C. Councilmember David Grosso, backed by Councilmember Brianna Nadeau and members of the the D.C. Fair Elections Coalition, speaks about the need to get big money out of politics.

Councilmember Brianne Nadeau – who co-introduced the legislation with Grosso, Council Chair Phil Mendelson and Councilmember Charles Allen – told those at the hearing, "Democracy is about everyone having a voice in this process, not just people who have deep pockets, not just corporations."

CWA President Chris Shelton has made it clear that we must join other groups in fighting for a voice for working families. "We can only achieve our top priorities if we stop letting the 1 percent pollute our politics, and to do that, we must get big money out and voters in," he said.

CWA is a founding member of the D.C. Fair Elections Coalition and the Democracy Initiative, an organization of civil rights groups, unions, environmental groups, faith groups and others, committed to building a broad movement to strengthen our democracy.