Campaign finance reform group End Citizens United endorses Democratic congressional candidate Joe Neguse
An organization devoted to overturning the decision that paved the way for virtually unlimited campaign spending on Thursday endorsed Joe Neguse, one of four Democrats running for the 2nd Congressional District seat held by Democrat Jared Polis, a candidate for governor in next year’s election.
“It’s no secret that Congress is littered with politicians who are in the pockets of the big money mega donors and special interests,” said Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United, in a statement. “Joe Neguse has vowed to curb the corrupting influence that money has over our politics and fight to enact meaningful reform that will upend this system. We’re thrilled to support Neguse’s campaign and work with our grassroots members to help elect him.”
Neguse, a former University of Colorado regent and past executive director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, said he was proud to receive the group’s backing.
“We need to rebuild our democracy by stopping the endless flow of dark money infecting our politics, reforming the dysfunctional (Federal Election Commission) and finally enacting nation-wide automatic voter registration!” Neguse said in a statement.
Formed in 2015, the End Citizens United group is committed to fighting “the disastrous impact of Citizens United,” organizers say, referring to the 2010 Supreme Court decision that led to the creation of so-called super PACs, political action committees that can raise funds without limit. The group has more than 3 million members nationwide and plans to raise $35 million in small donations – averaging $14 apiece – for next year’s election.
Neguse is the second Colorado candidate the group has endorsed this year. Last month, it threw its support behind Democrat Jason Crow, one of three candidates running in a primary for the 6th Congressional District seat held by five-term Republican Mike Coffman. When he received the endorsement, Crow pledged not to accept corporate PAC money for his campaign.