Pomeroy and Election Opponent Urged to Back Fair Elections

Washington, D.C.—The Campaign for Fair Elections responded to the Office of Congressional Ethics’ (OCE) decision to drop the investigation into Rep. Earl Pomeroy’s (D-N.D.) vote on financial reform and his fundraising by urging Pomeroy and his Republican opponent to pledge to fight corruption in Washington.

“While the investigation may be over, common sense North Dakotans know the problems in Washington can be summed up in one word: money,” said David Donnelly, campaign manager for the Campaign for Fair Elections. “As long as corporate interests and lobbyists spend millions of dollars to influence members of Congress, North Dakotans will be left to wonder whose interests their elected officials really represent in Washington, D.C.”

“Rep. Pomeroy should join 160 of his colleagues and co-sponsor the Fair Elections Now Act, legislation that would put elections back in the hands of voters,” continued Donnelly. “And his opponent, Rick Berg, should look at the closing of this investigation as an opportunity to outline his government reform platform, not as the chance to take political shots from the sidelines. More than anything, Congress needs leaders who are willing to take on the special interests and the system that lets them win at our expense.”

With the Fair Elections Now Act (H.R. 1826, S. 752), America won’t have one corporate-funded candidate fighting against another. Politicians will be more accountable to everyday people because they’ll raise money back home. Candidates for Congress can run competitive campaigns for office without having to rely on corporate donors or lobbyist bundlers.

The legislation has the broad, bipartisan and cross-caucus support of 160 U.S. House members and 25 U.S. Senators. Learn more at www.fairelectionsnow.org.