Originally published in the Democrat & Chronicle, 19 August 2018
Recent articles in
the Democrat & Chronicle and the New York Times have highlighted the ways
corporate political action committees are a source of “dark money” in politics.
They provide ways for corporate contributors to bypass donation limits and they
raise questions about the influence those donors have on elected officials.
I concur with those
concerns and the need for meaningful campaign finance reform. However, it is
important not to paint with too broad of brushstrokes. “PAC” is quickly
becoming synonymous with practices that disempower voters and reinforce distrust
of elected officials. It is important to remember that all PACs are not the
same. PACs can bring greater transparency to politics and reconnect voters with
democracy. One such model is seen in Trailblazers PAC.
As a political action
committee, Trailblazers PAC raises money that it contributes to candidates they
endorse. Three things make Trailblazers unique. First, they are non-partisan
and have no particular social issue on which they base endorsements. They
endorse candidates of many political parties. Second, they require endorsed
candidates to be 100% transparent about contributions and to raise money
locally. Even when state law does not require disclosure, Trailblazers does.
Third, they only endorse at the county and municipal levels, giving support to
a level of government that is often overlooked yet affects our daily lives in
important ways.
That formula works. In
2017, districts where there were Trailblazers-endorsed candidates had higher
voter turnout than comparable districts. In those races, 58% of
Trailblazers-endorsed candidates won their races, compared with 24% of
candidates who contacted Trailblazers but did not earn an endorsement. The
values that Trailblazers PAC puts into practice and hold their endorsed
candidates to resonate with voters and bring greater transparency to our
democracy.
Campaign season will
soon be in full swing. If you are not satisfied with the political process, get
involved and change it. Call on candidates to disclose all financial
contributions, even when not required by law. Attend or host neighborhood
events where candidates talk directly with voters. Demand that the needs of
your family and your community be addressed. Hold those who seek to represent
you accountable by being engaged and speaking up. Decisions are made by those
who show up, so show up throughout the campaigns and on election day.
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