ECUs Anti-Corruption Push Expands with 40 New Candidates Joining the ‘Unrig Washington’ Campaign

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<h2>Meet Our Board of Directors</h2><h3>Ron Barber</h3>Congressman Ron Barber represented Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District from 2011–2014 — a diverse swath of historic Southeastern Arizona that includes communities as disparate as Tucson, where cutting-edge technology is being developed, and Tombstone, where the echoes of the Gunfight at the OK Corral live on. Rep. Barber served on the Committee on Homeland Security and the House Armed Services Committee. Additionally, he served on the Committee on Small Business and the Bipartisan Working Group. Before becoming a member of Congress, Barber had a 32-year career with the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Arizona Department of Economic Security, eventually serving as its director. Rep. Barber and his wife also ran a small business in Tucson for 22 years. In 2007, Rep. Barber was appointed Representative Gabrielle Giffords’ seat after she resigned to focus on her recovery from an attempted assassination.<h3>Lanae Erickson</h3>Lanae Erickson loves working on the hardest and most divisive subjects, and as Senior Vice President for Social Policy &amp; Politics at Third Way, she does just that, tackling hot-button issues like immigration, abortion, religious liberty, and guns, as well as helping to drive crucial policy conversations like how we can ensure our higher education system is delivering for students.Previously, Lanae served as a member of President Obama’s third Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. She was also Legislative Counsel at Alliance for Justice, where she investigated the backgrounds of federal judicial nominees on civil and human rights and advocated for progressive policies on issues from detention and interrogation policy to equal pay. Before that, she was a “real” lawyer at the Legal Rights Center and the Center for Victims of Torture.Lanae’s commentary has been featured in a variety of news outlets, including&nbsp;The Washington Post, The New York Times, USA Today, Politico, The New Yorker, and PBS News Hour. She has also appeared on NPR, Fox News, CSPAN’s Washington Journal, CNN, Bloomberg Television, Air America, and Minnesota Public Radio.She earned her J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota, and her Bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College. Originally from the beautiful Land of 10,000 Lakes (which actually has significantly more than 10,000 lakes), Lanae is now a proud Washingtonian.<h3>Karen Finney</h3>A leading Democratic strategist and Political Commentator for CNN,&nbsp;Karen&nbsp;Finney&nbsp;is an independent consultant working with political and corporate clients on crisis communications, branding, public affairs, polling and strategy. She was a Senior Advisor to Stacey Abrams’ Gubernatorial campaign, the Democratic National Committee and AL Media in the 2018 election cycle.&nbsp;Finney&nbsp;served as Senior Advisor for Communications and Political Outreach and Senior Spokesperson for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.From her experience working in media, national politics, political and communications strategy in both the public and private sectors,&nbsp;Finney&nbsp;brings a unique perspective to her work.&nbsp;She was a political analyst and hosted her own show on MSNBC, “Disrupt with&nbsp;Karen&nbsp;Finney,”.&nbsp; Her experience includes work on four presidential campaigns, both the President and First Lady during the Clinton Administration, and she was the Democratic National Committee’s first African American spokeswoman, helping to lead the DNC’s communications strategy for the “50 State Strategy,” successful 2006 Congressional elections and 2008 presidential campaign.&nbsp; A former Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics,&nbsp;Finney&nbsp;current serves as Board Vice Chair for NARAL pro-choice America, Board Chair at Ultraviolet and a co-founder Power Rising.&nbsp;&nbsp;Finney&nbsp;is also a Terker Fellow at George Washington University’s School of Journalism and Public Affairs.<h3>Jason Kander</h3>Jason Kander joined the Army after September 11, 2001, rose to the rank of Captain, and served in Afghanistan as a military intelligence officer.&nbsp;Today, he serves as President of Veterans Community Project and is leading the organization’s national expansion.A former Missouri state legislator and Missouri Secretary of State, he was the first millennial in the nation elected to a statewide office. After over-performing the Democratic presidential ticket by 16 points but narrowly failing to unseat an incumbent Republican Senator in 2016, Jason founded Let America Vote, a national campaign against voter suppression. He served as a teaching fellow at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, worked as a CNN Commentator, and appeared on every major television network.In 2019, he reemerged with a new role in public service, leading the national expansion of Veterans Community Project (VCP), a Kansas City-based organization founded by combat veterans. VCP’s mission is to fill the gaps in services for all veterans and provide transitional housing to end veteran homelessness. Jason has promised to expand VCP to eight additional cities by 2022 and then to every major city in America.Jason, who is 38, is a graduate of American University and Georgetown Law School. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Diana, and they live in Kansas City with their son True. In his spare time, Jason enjoys training for irrational physical challenges and coaching his son’s baseball team.<h3>Christopher Massicotte</h3>Chris Massicotte has been passionate about providing Democratic campaigns and progressive causes with the most effective and innovative technology for years. Prior to his current role as DSPolitical’s chief operating officer, Massicotte served as vice president of sales and marketing at NGP VAN Inc., the largest political technology company serving Democratic candidates and their progressive allies. Massicotte has also worked on a variety of Democratic campaigns, serving for a time as finance director to Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ). He is also an outspoken supporter of LGBT equality and works closely with a number of organizations including the Gay &amp; Lesbian Victory Fund, where he is currently Eastern Caucus Chair. Massicotte is a graduate of Villanova University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and The University of Pennsylvania with a master’s degree in government administration.<h3>Matt Morrison</h3>Matt Morrison is the executive director of Working America, a three-million-member labor organization mobilizing working people who don’t have the benefit of a union at their jobs. He is a leading political practitioner with experience working in over 500 elections throughout his career. Most recently, Working America has achieved a 76 percent win rate in the 87 competitive elections it has worked in since November 2016.In his earlier role as Working America’s political director, Morrison led the refinement of the organization’s field and member communications programs through the use of clinical testing and advanced analytics. Under his direction, Working America combines innovative integration of traditional field organizing with analytics to increase targeting accuracy and voter turnout for candidates who support a fair economy for working-class Americans.Prior to joining Working America, Morrison served on John Edwards’ 2008 presidential campaign, in the government affairs depaAbe Rakovrtment of the American Federation of Teachers and on Capitol Hill in the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.).He holds undergraduate and law degrees from Washington University in St. Louis.<h3>Bill Smith</h3>Bill Smith is a founding partner of Civitas Public Affairs Group. He has over two decades of experience in campaign management, message research and development, strategic planning, and movement building. He currently advises philanthropists, foundations, and donor collaboratives on a wide range of policy objectives, as well as national nonprofit organizations seeking to advance progressive policies at the state and federal levels.Prior to starting Civitas, Bill served as the National Political Director for Gill Action, working across the country to secure marriage equality and other key policy wins by building political power for the LGBT community. He counseled a network of donors that invested nearly $15 million into targeted campaigns supporting the freedom to marry and LGBT equality, including nearly 200 successful elections across the country.Bill has worked extensively as a general consultant, providing critical counsel to elected officials, political organizations, and social movement organizations. He previously worked as a political operative for Karl Rove + Company and Wilson Grand Communications. He has led teams of the nation’s premier pollsters, media consultants, and campaign operatives on both sides of the aisle.Bill also serves on the boards of Faith in Public Life Action Fund and the Reconciling Ministries Network. A native of Alabama, Bill resides in Washington, D.C.<h3>Jessica Vanden Berg</h3>Jessica Vanden Berg is an Ambassador for the New Leaders Council, a member of the American Council on Germany, and a partner with the Truman National Security Project. Ms. Vanden Berg is a founder of Maverick Strategy and Mail and has worked both domestically and abroad advising corporate clients, political and advocacy campaigns, as well as independent expenditures on strategic communications, grassroots and grass tops outreach, management, targeting, planning, and budgeting. In addition to her work, she worked for the ONE Campaign as the Democratic campaign manager for the ONE Vote ’08 Presidential Initiative. The campaign used technology, press, and grassroots support to push the presidential candidate to support real measures in dealing with global poverty and health. She managed staff throughout the country, and was able to persuade the candidates to guarantee real commitments to saving lives.<h3>Simone L. Ward</h3>Simone L. Ward is currently serving as the Battleground State Director for Hillary forAmerica in Florida. Recently, she served as the first African-American National Political Director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). As political director, she was responsible for developing a strategy to defend 10 democratic U.S.Senate seats and win back the majority in the 2016 election cycle. In 2014, Simone served as Campaign Manager for U.S. Senate candidate Natalie Tennant (D-WV), and program consultant for the re-development of the Congressional Black Caucus Institute’s (CBCI) national BOOT CAMP training program. Ms. Ward currently sits on the board of directors for the Higher Heights for America, Democratic GAIN, and the DNC’s Democratic Women’s Alliance (DWA) advisory council. She has served as a guest lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Georgetown, Trinity and American Universities. She is a graduate of the Oklahoma City University and was raised in Kansas City, Missouri.

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Adelita Grijalva Endorsement

<h5>November 6th, 2025</h5><h3>End Citizens United Honors Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi for Historic Leadership and Lifetime of Public Service</h3>End Citizens United today lauded Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi on her extraordinary career in public service. Her historic leadership of the Democratic Party and tenure in Congress has defined modern politics, leaves an unparalleled legacy, and sets a precedent for years to come.&nbsp;“Trailblazing doesn’t do justice to the powerhouse that is Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, whose nearly 40 years in Washington set the gold standard for real leadership,” said Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United. “As Speaker, Pelosi fought tirelessly to limit the influence of big money in politics. She was vital to passing the McCain-Feingold Act to curb large, unregulated political contributions, and was the foremost champion of the For the People Act (H.R. 1) to expand voting rights, fight corruption, and reduce the influence of wealthy donors in politics. She will also always be remembered for patriotically defending democracy during one of its darkest days on January 6th.&nbsp;“America is indebted to Speaker Pelosi and the standard she has set in Washington. She broke barriers, made history, and led with unmatched conviction. She delivered for working families, defended our democracy, and inspired a new generation of women to lead. Her leadership will echo for generations, a testament to what’s possible when principle, perseverance, and purpose guide those in power.”&nbsp;Muller continues: “Her iconic leadership during the Trump era has been crucial to protecting our democratic institutions and defending the rights of working people. Speaker Pelosi has been on the front lines of every effort to protect everyday Americans from the mounting threats they face to their healthcare and livelihoods: from a prolonged government shutdown to rampant billionaire-driven corruption to standing up to an unprecedented Republican power grab with the passage of Prop 50 in her home state.”&nbsp;ECU shared its <a href="https://x.com/StopBigMoney/status/1986456337069298002" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">video</a> that previously honored Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi for her career of service. ### ECU is dedicated to combating the two biggest challenges facing our democracy: the corrosive impact of Big Money and attempts to block access to the ballot box. Since its founding in 2015, ECU has had over 1.4 million donors with an average donation of just $14. The group has more than four million members nationwide.&nbsp;

End Citizens United Endorses Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton for U.S. Senate

ECU Warns of Dark Money Threat through  Churches 

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<h5>June 12th, 2025</h5><h2>End Citizens United Condemns Trump Administration Attack on Senator Padilla</h2>End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller issued the following statement condemning the Trump administration for the violent removal and handcuffing of Senator Alex Padilla:"We are appalled and outraged at the horrific treatment of Senator Alex Padilla today by the out-of-control Trump administration. Senator Padilla clearly identified himself and was asking questions during a press conference as part of his duty to stand up and represent his constituents. To be forcefully removed, thrown to the ground, and handcuffed is a blatant disregard for our Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees us all. We stand with Senator Padilla and will continue to fight back against the abuse of power by this administration."

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ECU Congratulates Adelita Grijalva on AZ-07 Special Election Primary Victory

ECU Endorses Sen. Jon Ossoff For Reelection

New Battleground Poll: Republicans Hold Edge on Corruption —But Reform Message Offers Path Forward

<h5>SEptemeber 2nd, 2025</h5><h3>ECU Condemns Trump Family’s $5 Billion Payday and GOP Complicity in Corruption</h3>WASHINGTON, DC — Tiffany Muller, president of the anti-corruption group <a href="/8ba8fbf5-cce6-4d85-947f-ce5dce78b82f">End Citizens United</a>, released the following statement in reaction to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/finance/currencies/trump-family-amasses-6-billion-fortune-after-crypto-launch-567faec5" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">news</a> that the Trump family amassed a staggering $5 billion windfall following the launch of their flagship crypto venture on Monday. “As the Trumps move from one shameless get-rich-quick scheme to another, Republicans in Congress are too busy cashing checks from—and cutting taxes for—their billionaire donors to give a damn,” said ECU President Tiffany Muller. “This staggering one-day, $5 billion windfall is corruption in plain sight, and another reminder that Trump and the Republican Party work for themselves, not working families.” Muller, a nationally recognized expert on political corruption, is available for comment on this development and the dangerous culture of corruption and self-dealing that has come to define the Trump administration. To request an interview, please contact: Kolby Lee (<a href="mailto:kolbylee@endcitizensunited.org">kolbylee@endcitizensunited.org</a>) ###For 10 Years, End Citizens United (ECU) has been dedicated to combating the two biggest challenges facing our democracy: the corrosive impact of Big Money in politics and attempts to block access to the ballot box. Since its founding in 2015, ECU has had over 1.4 million donors with an average donation of just $14. The group has more than four million members nationwide and is one of the nation’s leading anti-corruption organizations.

End Citizens United Statement on 16th Anniversary of Citizens United

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<h5>JULY 29th, 2025</h5><h3>End Citizens United // Let America Vote Statement on Reintroduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act</h3> End Citizens United // Let America Vote (ECU // LAV) Action Fund President Tiffany Muller released the following statement on the Senate reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act:&nbsp;&nbsp;“Across the country, the right to vote is under a coordinated attack at the highest levels of government. President Trump, congressional Republicans, and Republican-controlled state houses are waging a political war to prevent Americans from accessing the ballot box. They’ve eliminated federal agencies designed to protect our elections from foreign interference, they’re threatening election workers, and they’re spewing lies about voter fraud. It’s a calculated effort to silence the American people––particularly voters of color––from holding them accountable for their reckless policies and corruption.&nbsp;“The best way to defend against these attacks is the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. It will restore key protections that the extremist wing of the Supreme Court gutted and ensure that no politician can racially discriminate in our elections without consequences. This bill honors the legacy of the late Congressman Lewis not just in name, but in action.&nbsp;“We thank Senator Warnock and Senator Durbin for their ongoing and tireless efforts to get this bill passed into law, and we look forward to supporting them every step of the way.”&nbsp;The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act will:<ul><li>Establish new review and approval criteria for preventing racial discrimination in voting. </li><li>Require federal review of specific voting practices known to have been used to discriminate against voters of color. </li><li>Mandate greater nationwide transparency of voting law and policy changes. </li><li>Reinforce voters’ ability to challenge racial discrimination in court. </li><li>Allow voters of color to challenge voting changes that worsen their position. </li><li>Give the U.S. Department of Justice more authority to investigate voting rights violations. </li><li>Expand courts’ roles in protecting voting rights. </li><li>Expand the federal observer program.</li></ul>

End Citizens United Blasts Trump’s Politically Motivated Attack on Colorado’s Voting Process copy

Ethics Complaint: Nevada Commission on Ethics

<h5>August 21st, 2025</h5><h3 style="text-align: center">End Citizens United Files Complaint with Office of Congressional Conduct Against Representative Rob Bresnahan Over Secret Helicopter</h3>Bresnahan failed to disclose ownership of helicopter valued up to $1.5 millionEnd Citizens United (ECU), one of the nation’s leading anti-corruption organizations, filed an ethics complaint with the Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC) against Representative Rob Bresnahan (PA-08). The complaint centers on Bresnahan’s failure to disclose ownership of a helicopter.“Representative Bresnahan is showing clear patterns of shady and corrupt behavior. From hiding a million-dollar helicopter to becoming one of the most prolific stock traders in Congress, his conduct raises serious questions about his honesty and ethics,”&nbsp;said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller. “Failure to disclose an asset of this magnitude is a major breach of trust with voters and a serious violation of federal law. We urge the Office of Congressional Conduct to launch an investigation and hold Representative Bresnahan accountable.”&nbsp;The Complaint:&nbsp;<ul><li>In late 2024, RPB Ventures LLC purchased a 2024 Robinson R66 helicopter now based in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. </li><li>The helicopter’s value is estimated between $1-1.5 million. </li><li>According to Rep. Bresnahan’s 2024 annual financial disclosure report, filed on August 13, 2025, Rep. Bresnahan serves as the Managing Member of RPB Ventures LLC and ownership of the helicopter is not disclosed under the RPB Ventures LLC investment vehicle. The financial disclosure covers all transactions and owned property from the full 2024 calendar year, covering the date of the helicopter purchase. Hannah Pope, a spokesperson for Rep. Bresnahan, confirmed the Congressman’s ownership of the helicopter. </li><li>Any campaign travel by Rep. Bresnahan using the helicopter would require the filing of an in-kind contribution from RPB Ventures LLC. Despite efforts by Rep. Bresnahan to obscure the whereabouts of the helicopter by blocking public access to the helicopter’s travel history on several flight tracking websites, we know the helicopter has made over twenty flights, including to New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. The helicopter made regular flights around Bresnahan’s district during the lead-up to the November 2024 General Election, and has, on at least three instances since May 2025, flown out of Pennsylvania. If any of these trips were for campaign related purposes, Rep. Bresnahan’s failure to report the in-kind contributions would be a violation of campaign finance laws. </li><li>Federal law requires members of Congress to report “any interest in property held during the preceding calendar year in a trade or business, or for investment or the production of income, which has a fair market value which exceeds $1,000.” </li><li>Federal campaign law also requires the filing of in-kind contributions from LLC’s and that “[a] committee report[s] the value of an in-kind contribution received from a partnership or LLC in the same way it reports a monetary contribution.” This requirement applies to travel provided to a campaign at below market value. </li></ul><a href="/0609c42e-a486-4b24-908f-cf886d64cb1b">Click here to read the complaint.</a> ###For 10 Years, End Citizens United (ECU) has been dedicated to combating the two biggest challenges facing our democracy: the corrosive impact of Big Money in politics and attempts to block access to the ballot box. Since its founding in 2015, ECU has had over 1.4 million donors with an average donation of just $14. The group has more than four million members nationwide and is one of the nation’s leading anti-corruption organizations.

A Winning Agenda for 2026

<h5>August 1st, 2025</h5><h3>New Battleground Poll: Republicans Hold Edge with Voters on Corruption Trust—But Reform Message Offers Democrats a Path Forward </h3>Polling shows Democrats can and must reclaim the mantle of reform or risk losing in 2026&nbsp; By focusing on fighting corruption and championing popular reforms like banning congressional stock trading, there is a clear path forward for closing the trust gap and winning back key voting blocs, the data shows WASHINGTON, DC — This week, progressive anti-corruption watchdog group<a href="https://www.endcitizensunited.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> End Citizens United </a>released a sweeping battleground poll with a stark warning for Democrats ahead of 2026. Voters in key frontline congressional districts overwhelmingly see Washington as broken—and view Democrats as more corrupt than Republicans, even as President Trump’s blatant corruption scandals dominate headlines. Despite these serious headwinds for Democrats, however, the End Citizens United survey points to a clear path forward for the minority party to win back voter trust heading into the midterms.&nbsp;These findings were first detailed in an exclusive report by Rolling Stone: <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-democrats-more-corrupt-than-republicans-poll-1235396092/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Voters See Dems as More Corrupt Than Republicans Despite Trump’s Grifting</a>&nbsp;According to the findings, Democrats are perceived as more corrupt than Republicans by a five-point margin—49% to 44%. Among Independent voters, the gap widens to eleven points. Voters also currently place more trust in Republicans on key issues like standing up to special interests, fighting government corruption, driving real change in Washington, and fixing a broken system. Perhaps most strikingly though, Donald Trump’s approval rating on corruption surpasses his overall approval by eight points—a notable and unexpected finding given a string of ongoing scandals and multiple self-enrichment schemes by the President and his family.&nbsp;Since the party trusted to tackle corruption has historically held the advantage at the ballot box, these numbers present a serious warning sign for Democrats hoping to flip the House in 2026 and prevent two more years of a Republican governing trifecta in Washington.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/476ee4a7-2f17-419d-a69f-d9ca0219a973/2f237a72-e432-4475-992b-9376472c6879/2f237a72-e432-4475-992b-9376472c6879.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1438%2C750&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="framed">&nbsp;The polling does, however, provide a path forward for Democrats. Data shows that Democrats can close—and even reverse—the trust gap by running on a bold anti-corruption agenda and championing popular reforms like banning congressional stock trading and closing lobbyist loopholes. In fact, when Democrats take the offensive against Republican corruption and lead with a strong reform message, the generic congressional ballot shifts decisively in their favor.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/476ee4a7-2f17-419d-a69f-d9ca0219a973/ddd680bc-2a64-42ae-bfeb-3278a46b3c0c/ddd680bc-2a64-42ae-bfeb-3278a46b3c0c.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1600%2C828&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="framed">“I won’t sugarcoat it. Right now, voters trust Republicans more to tackle corruption and fix what’s broken in Washington,” said Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United. “But the good news is we can still turn this around. By exposing how Republican corruption hurts everyday Americans and championing bold, popular policies like banning congressional stock trading and closing lobbyist loopholes, Democrats can win over independents and swing voters and defeat Republicans in direct head-to-head matchups. The path is clear: lead on reform and we win.”&nbsp;Additional topline findings from the End Citizens United survey reveal that:<ul><li>80% of voters say there are at least big problems in Washington that need fixing. </li><li>89% of voters believe taking on and reducing government corruption should be a somewhat or very big priority for Congress. </li><li>85% of voters have serious or very serious concerns with members of Congress trading stocks based on information not available to the public and making millions off their positions. </li><li>When asked about specific anti-corruption reforms, 49% of voters said cracking down on self-enrichment—including banning members of Congress from trading stocks and barring anyone connected to the president, vice president, Supreme Court justices, or members of Congress from accepting gifts from foreign governments—should be a top priority.</li></ul>The End Citizens United survey was conducted by <a href="https://impactresearch.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Impact Research</a>—a leading Democratic firm used by multiple presidential campaigns. The poll surveyed 1,000 likely 2026 general election voters in battleground House districts between June 26 and July 1, 2025, with a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. A full polling memo is available <a href="https://www.endcitizensunited.org/ecu-polling-memo-july2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>. End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller, a leading national authority on corruption reform, is available for interview to explain what these findings mean for Democrats’ 2026 prospects—and how the party can reclaim the advantage on corruption and accountability. To request an interview, please contact: Kolby Lee (<a href="mailto:kolbylee@endcitizensunited.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">kolbylee@endcitizensunited.org</a>)

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Do congressional candidates benefit from rejecting PAC contributions? - Landgrave 2025

<h5>November 20th, 2025</h5><h3>ECU Condemns Trump’s Reckless Calls for Imprisonment and Execution of Members of Congress</h3>WASHINGTON, DC — End Citizens United (ECU) President Tiffany Muller issued the below statement in response to President Trump’s calls for imprisoning and executing six Democratic members of Congress who previously served in the military and intelligence:&nbsp;“Donald Trump’s comments are a grotesque and dangerous escalation of political violence that has no place in America. It is a service to the nation when elected officials remind our country that members of the military take an oath to the Constitution, not the president. The real threat comes from the president branding public servants as traitors and suggesting they deserve the death penalty for urging service members to reject illegal orders.&nbsp;“Senators Kelly and Slotkin, and Representatives Crow, Houlahan, Goodlander, and Deluzio are patriots who served this nation in uniform and in national security roles. Their commitment to the Constitution is clear and unwavering, and their brave reminder to our military should be commended.”### ECU is dedicated to combating the two biggest challenges facing our democracy: the corrosive impact of Big Money and attempts to block access to the ballot box. Since its founding in 2015, ECU has had over 1.4 million donors with an average donation of just $14. The group has more than four million members nationwide.&nbsp;

ECU Statement on 3 Year Anniversary of Dobbs

End Citizens United Congratulates Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger on Historic Win in Virginia

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<h3>ENOUGH</h3>

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Following Damning Complaint by ECU, Rep. Young Kim Admits to Violating Federal Law 

End Citizens United Condemns House Republicans’ MEGA Act in the Strongest Possible Terms

ECU Celebrates Rep. Adelita Grijalva’s Long-Overdue Swearing-In After Unprecedented GOP Obstruction

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<h5>November 10th, 2025</h5><h3>End Citizens United Endorses State Representative Aftyn Behn for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District</h3>&nbsp;End Citizens United (ECU), a leading national anti-corruption organization, today announced its endorsement of Tennessee State Representative Aftyn Behn in the special election for Tennessee’s 7th congressional district. Behn recently joined ECU’s “Unrig Washington” initiative—a bold new standard for Democratic congressional candidates to demonstrate their commitment to cleaning up Washington and putting voters first.&nbsp;“We’re proud to stand with Aftyn Behn for Congress,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller. “Everyday Tennesseans are paying the price for Washington’s corruption—and Aftyn is ready to fight back. She has always put people above special interests, refuses corporate PAC money, and is committed to cracking down on dark money in politics. We’re proud to endorse her as she continues standing up for working families and holding powerful interests accountable.”&nbsp;“Tennesseans are tired of watching billionaires and corporate PACs buy our democracy out from under us,” said Tennessee State Representative Aftyn Behn. “I’m grateful for the End Citizens United’s endorsement because I’ve spent my entire life challenging corporate power. Our government should work for our people, not the highest bidder.”&nbsp;By joining ECU’s “Unrig Washington” campaign earlier this year, State Rep. Behn became one of more than 100 Democratic Congressional candidates committed to restoring trust and accountability in government. The nationwide effort pushes three key reforms—banning congressional stock trading, refusing corporate PAC money, and cracking down on dark money in politics. Learn more about the campaign at<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.2TQCby3F97coGKket1KNlBjDP4aTAO5f0yrDk02u-2F2eysIOGN-2Fxezftlj6JCal9QA2DYgSqvYihvYsNd8QobvQ-3D-3DJNZd_l1l8wvVy-2FtRK4gupqIMZWVzGR6AxwpJaqkFAFVEVH2D-2Fki6-2BFtg7F3UN9Bi9WwG0o7WKgYyONYQLEtFOxVjnbQqQIRHwz5-2FUOVSU5GqKZCXMVP8Ngs-2FWgOo7RZmSKUX33Nv3gFgO9SOqAqQN1CnTvE32oLc4kyheSpiUp4PRKzYyU0KmX8oYxJ43gOtA5nJatbKXcY41bYni7I-2FsCszR-2F-2FVHK94Ql3HUigNTX0CF3rtG0jPiOsWdeYHoRm34949uS2as3ZtSFRq3LDO2upyIymT3RDUtYkvaMBOXGD4tuvo1-2BZ1TLMSxZBOIEo1UbLDTgSNe9axx6zAhLWKxCMGW0LGQYJdXGw5lSPoYFXhPcOgKM4aUEiv9gcSpOemdd05M9h63V3qcI-2F9yK22OgT-2BNQw-3D-3D" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> </a><a href="http://www.endcitizensunited.org/unrig-washington">www.endcitizensunited.org/unrig-washington</a>. ### ECU is dedicated to combating the two biggest challenges facing our democracy: the corrosive impact of Big Money and attempts to block access to the ballot box. Since its founding in 2015, ECU has had over 1.4 million donors with an average donation of just $14. The group has more than four million members nationwide.&nbsp;

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<h5>September 19th, 2025</h5><h4>ICYMI: Trump’s Corruption Gives Democrats A Shot At A Unifying Message [HuffPost]&nbsp;</h4>Kevin RobillardSeptember 18, 2025More than 80 Democratic members of Congress and candidates have signed on to a new pledge aiming to prove their anti-corruption bona fides, giving the party an opportunity to unite behind a message of combating President Donald Trump’s corruption. The pledge, organized by End Citizens United, represents a shift in how Democrats talk about good governance compared to their approach under former President Joe Biden. It places less emphasis on politically polarizing battles over voting rights and more focus on limiting the role of money in politics, in a way that the party hopes can persuade deeply cynical independent and swing voters. It also provides the opportunity for candidates from both the party’s progressive and moderate wings to adopt a unified message and bypass the ideological squabbling that has defined the party since its loss in the 2024 election cycle and to separate themselves from the party’s still-toxic brand. “Coming out of 2024, addressing corruption is a big priority for voters, but they don’t see any difference between the two parties,” said Tiffany Muller, the president of End Citizens United. “In previous midterm waves, whether it was 1994, 2006 or 2018, whichever party has managed to grab the mantle of anti-corruption has been able to triumph.” The members and candidates are agreeing to support a ban on members of Congress from trading individual stocks; pledging to reject campaign donations from corporate PACs; and cracking down on so-called “dark money” by supporting legislation to reveal donors hidden by the existing campaign finance system and reforming the Federal Elections Commission. The Democrats who have signed on span the party’s ideological spectrum, including both progressive Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Blue Dog Coalition member Rep. Jared Golden of Maine. They include the party’s most vulnerable Senate incumbent in Sen. Jon Ossoff (Ga.), one of its top Senate recruits in Rep. Chris Pappas (N.H.) and every member of the crowded Democratic primary fields in Iowa and Texas. Ossoff, in particular, has emphasized combating corruption as he runs for reelection in a swing state against a divided GOP field. “Our fight is against deeply entrenched corruption and greed,” he said during a speech in July. “Corruption and greed that have so deeply rotted our system that it gave rise to this depraved man who has now plagued our public life for a decade.” (The depraved man, of course, is <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/news/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Donald Trump</a>.) One independent Senate candidate, Nebraska union leader Dan Osborn, has also signed the pledge. Muller said the group will continue to roll out tranches of candidates who signed on to the pledge, and hopes to have more than 150 signatures by the end of the cycle. She acknowledged many Democrats won’t be able to abide by all three planks of the pledge, but said congressional leadership was broadly on board with the proposed agenda. “Leadership knows that cleaning up corruption is going to need to be one of the main planks of our midterm strategy,” she said. “It’s our job to push them to go further.” Recent public surveys on who the public trusts more to combat corruption have shown the public split, <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-democrats-more-corrupt-than-republicans-poll-1235396092/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">with the GOP gaining a slight edge</a>. That’s a reversal from most of Trump’s first term, when Democrats’ focus on the topic powered them to control of both chambers of Congress and the presidency. But Muller now acknowledges the Biden White House and other Democrats <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/democrats-for-the-people-act-democracy-joe-manchin_n_609dcc28e4b03e1dd387a02e" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">erred by shifting their focus to voting rights </a>following the 2020 election and the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection as they unsuccessfully tried to sell Congress on a massive democracy reform package. Those issues tend to divide Americans by party, whereas talking about corruption and limiting the power of money in politics is generally a winner across party lines. “We quit talking about it. It was a mistake,” she said. “What got us to H.R. 1 in the first place was a focus on the money in politics, the broken system that people desperately want us to fix.” Trump’s behavior in office is giving Democrats plenty of corruption to run against. Most recently, a New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/us/politics/trump-uae-chips-witkoff-world-liberty.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">report</a> this week outlined how the United Arab Emirates’ ruling family deposited $2 billion into a cryptocurrency company owned by the Trump family as the Trump administration decided to allow the sale of valuable AI computer chips to the Gulf nation.Trump has also used government resources to promote his golf courses, attended a dinner with owners of his cryptocurrency and accepted a gift of a $400 million plane to serve as Air Force One from the Qatari government. The plane would be turned over to Trump’s presidential library foundation after he leaves office.

<h2>Meet Our Team</h2><h3>Tiffany Muller</h3><h5>President</h5>Tiffany Muller is the President of End Citizens United, Let America Vote, and the End Citizens United/Let America Vote Action Fund.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/476ee4a7-2f17-419d-a69f-d9ca0219a973/61ee7d8a-c6b5-4476-976e-6e50e1779a48/61ee7d8a-c6b5-4476-976e-6e50e1779a48.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=1190%2C0%2C3296%2C4128&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="37" variant="framed">Since joining ECU, Tiffany has helped grow the group from a start-up to a nationwide organization with more than 4 million members and 1 million grassroots donors. Since its founding in 2015, ECU has raised over $200 million to help protect and strengthen democracy and has helped elect more than 600 democracy champions. Under her leadership, the group has made protecting the voice and vote of every American a national priority, which led to the introduction of the most significant anti-corruption and voting rights legislation in generations. Signifying its top priority status, the bill was designated H.R. 1 and S. 1, passed the U.S. House of Representatives, and received majority support in the U.S. Senate. Tiffany was named to Washingtonian’s list of the Most Influential People in Washington.Tiffany began her career in government and politics when she became the first openly gay public official in Kansas in 2004 as a member of the Topeka City Council. There she led successful efforts to expand anti-discrimination protections.She has been described as a “force of nature” and a “high-quality leader” who can “grasp the responsibility to a larger cause.”<h3>Abe Rakov</h3><h5>Executive Director</h5>Abe Rakov is the Executive Director of End Citizens United and co-founder of Let America Vote. He has over 17 years of political experience leading local, state, and federal campaigns, served as a non-profit consultant, and has held executive roles in state and federal government.&nbsp;Abe was a senior advisor on Beto O'Rourke's presidential campaign and was Jason Kander's campaign manager for both his 2016 U.S. Senate race and 2012 Secretary of State campaign. He also worked as the Chief Impact Officer at Run for Something. On the government side, Abe served as the Missouri Deputy Secretary of State and had two stints on Capitol Hill: as the Democratic Staff Director of the Joint Economic Committee and Communications Director for Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.He received an undergraduate degree in journalism from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. Abe lives with his husband Jake and their rescue dog Kip in Studio City, CA.<h3>Sarah Benzing</h3><h5>Executive Vice President of Political</h5>Sarah Benzing has served as a Chief of Staff on both sides of the Capitol, a Campaign Manager on high-profile U.S. Senate and House races, and a senior staffer on presidential campaigns and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. She previously served as Senator Brown’s Chief of Staff for nine years.<h3>Mark Andrews</h3><h5>Vice President of Operations</h5>Mark Andrews is the Vice President of Operations at End Citizens United. Mark comes to ECU with a background in compliance working with campaigns, PACs, and labor unions. He has also worked in property management and accounting.<h3>Amanda Crumley</h3><h5>Vice President of Communication</h5>Amanda Crumley is a seasoned Democratic political strategist and communications expert with over 32 years of experience spanning government, electoral politics, advocacy, entertainment, and business. As the founder and president of Crumley Communications, LLC, she has advised numerous high-profile clients across a broad spectrum of industries helping them craft compelling narratives, raise profiles, and navigate complex media landscapes for twenty years.<h3>Farah Melendez</h3><h5>Vice President of State campaigns</h5>Farah Melendez is a national political operative who most recently served on the senior staff of the Harris-Walz campaign as Surge States Director, leading a team that mobilized 30,000 voters in the general election. She has managed and advised more than three dozen campaigns across the country, overseeing political advertising spending and strategy, budgets, consultant teams, and winning independent expenditure (IE) and 501(c)4 programs.<h3>Justin Unga</h3><h5>Vice President of Public Affairs</h5>Justin Unga is a DC-based political strategist with 20 years of experience leading successful legislative efforts and electoral campaigns. Unga previously served as Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) where he helped pass historic pro-equality reforms like the Virginia Values Act and the national Respect for Marriage Act.<h3>Emily Frost</h3><h5>National Organizing Director</h5> Emily Frost is the National Organizing Director at End Citizens United. Prior to joining the End Citizens United team, Emily led States Distributed Organizing at Harris for President. She has also held roles at the Democratic National Committee and served as Digital Organizing Director at Biden for President.<h3>Bawadden Sayed</h3><h5>Communications Director</h5>Bawadden Sayed is the Deputy Communications Director at End Citizens United. His background in progressive politics began in field, working on the 2014 gubernatorial race in Maine. Prior to joining the team at ECU, Bawadden was a legislative intern on Capitol Hill in Senator Angus King’s office.<h3>Laura Zamora</h3><h5>Assistant Director of People &amp; Culture</h5>Prior to joining ECU, Laura Zamora owned talent acquisition, employee engagement, and organizational development initiatives at The Impact Project as their People and Culture Manager. Laura previously served as Senior Manager of People and Operations at City Year Miami, where she led efforts to optimize organizational processes related to staff experience, professional development, and internal communications.<h3>Sam Amofah</h3><h5>Operations Coordinator</h5>Prior to ECU, Sam Amofah worked as a QA Analyst at Presidio and also gained valuable experience in property management with The Bozzuto Group and Equity Residential.<h3>Anatolia Hodson</h3><h5>Deputy Digital Director</h5>Anatolia Hodson is the Deputy Digital Director for End Citizens United. Before joining the ECU team, she helped develop content as a digital strategist for the DCCC IE and Kinetic Strategies. She previously worked in political for Amy Klobuchar’s primary campaign and in organizing for NextGen Virginia.<h3>Justin Gibbs-Poe</h3><h5>Digital and Communications Coordinator</h5>Justin Gibbs-Poe is the Digital/Communications Coordinator at End Citizens United and Let America Vote. Before ECU, he was an organizer in Atlanta working with mutual aid organizations, local campaigns, and nonprofits helping with communications, voter registration, and digital content creation.<h3>Alex Won</h3><h5>Partnerships Manager</h5>Alex Won was the AAPI Coalitions Director for the DNC during the 2024. Prior to joining the DNC, Alex worked as an Outreach Manager at Foreign Policy for America where he worked with former Ambassadors, Diplomats, and Foreign Policy experts to curate programming for FP4A’s Leadership Circle members. Previously, Alex worked at Indivisible as their Major Gifts Manager and at People for the American Way as their Major Gifts Associate.<h3>Kolby Lee</h3><h5>Press Secretary</h5>Kolby Lee is the Press Secretary at End Citizens United. Prior to joining the ECU team, Kolby ran Kolby Lee Communications LLC, where he specialized in building, managing, and advising public affairs campaigns for political candidates, national advocacy organizations, and private sector clients. He also served as Principal at New Deal Strategies and Campaign Spokesperson &amp; Press Secretary for Southern States for the Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign.<h3>Maddie Beckenholdt</h3><h5>Deputy Development Director</h5>Maddie Beckenholdt is the Deputy Development Director at End Citizens United. Before joining ECU, Maddie was the Deputy Finance Director for Amy McGrath’s congressional campaign, the Finance Director for Josh Butner’s congressional campaign, and an intern with the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.<h3>Dalit Kluger</h3><h5>EVENTS MANAGER</h5>Dalit Kluger is the Executive Coordinator at End Citizens United. Prior to joining ECU, Dalit was the Operations Director for Scott Sifton’s U.S. Senate Race in Missouri. During the 2020 election, she was a Field Organizer for the Iowa Coordinated Campaign.<h3>Marisa Shea</h3><h5>Deputy Legislative Director</h5>Marisa Shea is a lawyer with over a decade of experience advocating for legislative and policy reform at the state and federal level. Prior to joining the End Citizens United team, Marisa was working on tech accountability and reform across multiple state houses. She also spent several years serving as policy committee staff for both the California Senate Human Services and Judiciary Committees.<h3>My'Asia Davis</h3><h5>Political Assistant</h5>My'Asia Davis is originally from South Carolina and moved to Georgia with her family at age 14. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Savannah State University and is currently pursuing her Master of Public Policy. A dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she has built a career in public service, gaining valuable experience as a legislative intern on Capitol Hill for Senator Raphael Warnock, working on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives for the City of Savannah, and contributing to political strategy and operations at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). In her free time, when she’s not researching, you can find her shopping, traveling, discovering new restaurants, and practicing yoga for balance and relaxation.<h3>Clarissa Joyce</h3><h5>Organizing Manager</h5>Clarissa Joyce is the Organizing Manager at End Citizens United. She began her career in progressive politics in 2016 as an organizer for Gov. Steve Bullock’s re-election campaign. Most recently, she served as the Organizing Manager and Distributed Director for the 2024 North Carolina Coordinated Campaign.<h3>Lamisa Hasan</h3><h5>Organizing Manager</h5>Lamisa Hasan is the Organizing Manager at End Citizens United. She has experience in strengthening grassroots power and expanding voter access. With a strong foundation in community organizing, she has most recently led national digital engagement and training initiatives for the League of Women Voters of the United States.&nbsp;<h3>Emily Han</h3><h5>Press Assistant </h5>Emily Han is the Press Assistant at End Citizens United.&nbsp;Before joining the ECU team, she was a fellow at the Democratic fundraising firm The Strathdee Group. Her experiences also include public policy research with DB3, a press internship for Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and several other internships in government and political advocacy. Originally from California, Emily graduates from Georgetown University in 2025 with a Bachelor’s in Government and Economics. She enjoys being a foodie in DC, seeing live music, and protecting her three-year Duolingo streak.<h3>Meaghan Winter</h3><h5>Editorial Director</h5>Meaghan Winter is Editorial Director at End Citizens United. Meaghan previously was a journalist and magazine writer who covered reproductive&nbsp;healthcare and rights, climate policy, and democracy. She has held communications, research, and&nbsp;editorial roles for a wide range&nbsp;of progressive advocates and organizations, and she has taught at Columbia University,&nbsp;The New School, and Baruch College. Meaghan is also author of All Politics is Local: Why Progressives Must Fight for the States.&nbsp;

End Citizens United Celebrates Ghazala Hashmi and Jay Jones’ Victories in Virginia

End Citizens UnitedEndorsed Candidates

Trump Mobile Statement

<h5>SEptemeber 2nd, 2025</h5><h3>End Citizens United Blasts Trump’s Politically Motivated Attack on Colorado’s Voting Process</h3>End Citizens United (ECU) President Tiffany Muller issued the following statement on President Trump’s decision to illegally punish Colorado’s use of mail in voting by moving Space Command to Alabama:“Weaponizing the power of the federal government to retaliate against Colorado for how it administers elections––which is every state’s constitutional right––is a disgraceful and dangerous abuse of power. This is a page straight out of the authoritarian playbook. It’s further proof that Trump will do anything, including manipulating national security decisions, to serve his own political vendettas.&nbsp;“Colorado has become the gold standard for fair and safe elections, making it easier for people to vote while maintaining the highest levels of integrity. The state’s record turnout is proof that when you strengthen access to the ballot box, democracy thrives. These facts are exactly why Trump fears Colorado’s example and is retaliating against it.” ###For 10 Years, End Citizens United (ECU) has been dedicated to combating the two biggest challenges facing our democracy: the corrosive impact of Big Money in politics and attempts to block access to the ballot box. Since its founding in 2015, ECU has had over 1.4 million donors with an average donation of just $14. The group has more than four million members nationwide and is one of the nation’s leading anti-corruption organizations.

<h5>July 16th 2025</h5><h3>End Citizens United Files DOJ and OGE Complaint Calling for Federal Probe into Sec. Kristi Noem’s Undisclosed $80,000 Dark Money Payment &nbsp;</h3> WASHINGTON, DC —&nbsp;Tiffany Muller, president of anti-corruption group End Citizens United (ECU), this week submitted a formal request to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Justice’s Public Integrity Section, calling for a federal investigation into whether Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem violated financial disclosure laws by failing to report an <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/kristi-noem-political-donations-income-dark-money-dhs-ethics" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">$80,000 personal payment</a> from a dark money group during her tenure as South Dakota governor. The complaint—first <a href="https://www.thedakotascout.com/p/80k-political-payout-to-kristi-noem" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported</a> by the Sioux Falls-based independent newspaper The Dakota Scout—can be read in full <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eM5sykx36M7xQ7ryeBI365ybMcsrkaZrvE2N0FkHQ80/edit?tab=t.0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to the complaint, Ashwood Strategies, LLC was incorporated in Delaware in June 2023, with then-Governor Noem listed as the Managing Member. Later that year, Noem received $80,000 in payments from the American Resolve Policy Fund—a nonprofit led by her former campaign treasurer—funneled through Ashwood Strategies. After her nomination by President Trump to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security, Noem failed to disclose the $80,000 payment on her Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report filed with the Office of Government Ethics.&nbsp;“This reeks of a shell game,”&nbsp;said ECU President Tiffany Muller. “Noem—already no stranger to ethics scandals—secretly took an $80,000 payment from a shadowy dark money group and flagrantly broke federal law by hiding it from both the public and government watchdogs. What’s worse: we still have no idea who’s behind this money or what conflicts of interest it has created. It’s deeply unsettling that someone with a record of using public office for personal gain now controls the nation’s most heavily funded federal law enforcement agency.”&nbsp;The complaint states, in part: “Federal law requires members of the Executive Branch to report ‘all income from whatever source derived.’ The facts in this matter are clear, Secretary Noem failed to disclose an $80,000 payment from American Resolve Policy Fund, a nonprofit managed by Secretary Noem’s former campaign treasurer Staci Goede.”&nbsp;The complaint goes on to urge the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Justice to investigate the circumstances surrounding Secretary Noem’s Public Financial Disclosure Form, as well as the activities of Ashwood Strategies, LLC and the American Resolve Policy Fund.&nbsp;Since its founding a decade ago, ECU has led the fight against dark money and corruption in Washington, filing dozens of complaints exposing violations of campaign finance and ethics laws. Earlier this year, ECU called for a <a href="https://www.endcitizensunited.org/bribery-for-pardon-scheme-complaint" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">federal probe</a> into whether President Trump’s pardon of former nursing home executive Paul Walczak was an illegal bribery-for-pardon scheme. &nbsp;ECU President Tiffany Muller is available for interview to discuss the complaint against Secretary Noem and the broader issues of corruption and self-dealing that have characterized the Trump administration’s second term. To request an interview, please contact Kolby Lee (<a href="mailto:kolbylee@endcitizensunited.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">kolbylee@endcitizensunited.org</a>).

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Impact Focus Group

<h5>July 9th 2025</h5><h3>End Citizens United Endorses Congressman George Whitesides (CA-27) for Reelection</h3>End Citizens United (ECU), one of the nation’s leading anti-corruption organizations, endorsed Congressman George Whitesides for reelection in California’s 27th Congressional District.&nbsp;“As corruption runs rampant in Washington, we need strong leaders who will stand up to fight for the people—and that’s Congressman George Whitesides,”&nbsp;said ECU President Tiffany Muller. “He knows Congress cannot make real change as long as self-enriching politicians are putting their profits over the people they are entrusted to represent, which is why he’s leading the fight to ensure members of Congress cannot use their office for personal gain. We’re excited to endorse him for reelection and look forward to helping him win.”&nbsp;“Our democracy will only be truly inclusive once everyone’s voices are heard, which is impossible to do with dark money groups drowning out everyday citizens,”&nbsp;said Congressman George Whitesides. “I believe members of Congress should be held to the highest ethical standards — which is why I’m leading the fight to ban insider stock trading, require members to divest from individual company holdings, and restore public trust in government. It’s time to center working California families in our politics and ensure our government actually works for everyone. I am proud to be endorsed by End Citizens United and look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen our democracy.”&nbsp;See all of ECU’s 2026 endorsements&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.DuO4W433tnUXySRTpZv0tJFJXjdx3LhOBB-2F-2BSkQvXXSB6UD1yHOdCmRGCODdWwcTWI2NQX3OXBylg9hJbOQMlg-3D-3DsjYl_7q2-2F1LWzHNsPsrpxpegg0u9PpBLaE3OPtwsH-2FwtmdBaLLNR2GLKOeFy2diEqyczFwd6cg-2BqZey1xj6YcQamOZVdbff8GSFUaOz-2FmlTckg1YxgN-2BqWOI5SvfFOOyUvztgC-2FopPrid9zzoMJOuYvJjetw0-2BRO4FtheRNViIZj1frQD-2BwEF7DKLMIpsNKQdWGzUbZZcTDyqs4QEXMEMsei9LosdqJe55IpHC1BsG7RcyxjA8USaYwsL81gYocb6CaVb2TAmokh2ay31-2FjsppkpBlc84dbfuzy4fmH-2FUDeXi0hrI83iI3eKmtpxrv-2FLy7ng6m226hRrVT5Ek4-2FX9e7G-2FNzXjC9Izu9J3cjI9QrkFKNd-2BJ-2BH-2Fw8BHbWdxseUE3NLp0ZenmyJaaI9hJ36eYQovwg-3D-3D" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.&nbsp;

<h5>August 11th, 2025</h5><h3>End Citizens United Endorses Jay Jones for Virginia Attorney General</h3>End Citizens United (ECU), one of the nation’s leading anti-corruption organizations, today endorsed Jay Jones for Virginia Attorney General. As a lifelong resident of Virginia, Jones has been deeply committed to public service and spent his career fighting for Virginia families.“Jay Jones will bring new leadership to the Attorney General’s office, one focused on protecting civil rights and holding corporate rulebreakers accountable when they raise prices on Virginians in the pursuit of higher profits,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller. “As Republicans in DC and across the country continue their coordinated attack on our democracy and the right to vote, we need pro-democracy, anti-corruption champions like Jones who will stand up for families and fight back. End Citizens United is proud to endorse him, and we look forward to helping him win.”“I’m running for Attorney General because I believe in transparency and accountability for all – and that’s also why I’m proud to be endorsed by End Citizens United,” said Jay Jones. “As Attorney General, I’ll restore the office to what it should be – a watchdog for Virginians, not a weapon for political games. Together, we will lead the fight for a fairer, safer, and more just Virginia that truly represents the will of the people.”During his time as Assistant Attorney General, Jay Jones sued corporate special interests to prevent price gouging at the grocery store and took on big banks when they harmed families in the state. As Attorney General, Jones will ensure Virginia will no longer be left unprotected when the Trump administration attacks Virginia communities, jobs, and voting rights. He will make protecting civil rights a priority by creating a Voter Protection Unit to ensure fair and free access to the ballot box.

<h5>September 25th, 2025</h5><h4>End Citizens United Statement on FEC Commissioner Trey Trainor’s Resignation</h4>End Citizens United Senior Fellow Ellen Weintraub, who served as Commissioner and four-time Chair of the U.S. Federal Election Commission (FEC) from 2002 to 2025, issued the following statement on <a href="https://www.notus.org/campaigns/federal-election-commission-quorum-shutdown-trey-trainor-texas" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">news that Commissioner Trey Trainor is resigning</a>:“The FEC is one of the few federal agencies that actually has jurisdiction to address lawbreaking by politicians and officeholders, including the President of the United States. But it cannot do its job without a sufficient number of commissioners to make decisions. With just two members and no nominations to fill the vacant seats, President Trump is intentionally sidelining the nation’s campaign finance watchdog. Restoring the quorum is the bare minimum to have any safeguards against corruption.”&nbsp;Trainor’s resignation leaves the Commission with only two commissioners. The law establishes the agency as a six-member body, but a minimum of four commissioners is needed to restore quorum and allow the agency to resume its official functions––like investigating alleged violations of law, making rules, conducting audits, offering official guidance to political committees, and imposing fines. The FEC has been left without a quorum since May, rendering it unable to act while billions of dollars flow into the 2026 election cycle.&nbsp;Since her <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/07/donald-trump-fec-commissioner-firing-014200" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">illegal firing</a> in February, Weintraub has been sounding the alarm on President Trump’s attacks on the agency. She detailed what’s happening to the agency in a recent interview with <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-big-picture-with-edwin-eisendrath/the-big-picture-with-edwin-eisendrath-sep-20-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCPT</a>, warned of the consequences for the midterm elections in the <a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/guest-columns/2025/09/12/trump-elections-campaign-finance-salant-congress-midterms/stories/202509120008" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pittsburgh Post Gazette</a>, and explained to <a href="https://login.politicopro.com/?redirect=https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter/2025/07/the-fec-keeps-canceling-its-open-meetings-00442799" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Politico</a> how campaigns are left in legal limbo with no functioning oversight.&nbsp;To request an interview with Weintraub, one of the nation’s leading experts on the FEC, contact Bawadden Sayed (<a href="mailto:bawadden@endcitizensunited.org">bawadden@endcitizensunited.org</a>).&nbsp;

End Citizens United Endorses Deb Haaland for New Mexico Governor

<h5>November 19th, 2025</h5><h3 style="text-align: center">End Citizens United Files Ethics Complaint Against Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo</h3>End Citizens United (ECU), one the nation’s leading anti-corruption organizations, today filed an ethics complaint with the Nevada Commission on Ethics against Governor Joe Lombardo.&nbsp; The complaint outlines multiple instances in which Governor Lombardo used official state social media accounts to repost, tag, and amplify campaign-related content for his political benefit. Nevada law expressly prohibits elected officials from using public resources for political purposes or leveraging the powers of their office to gain electoral advantage. Governor Lombardo has previously been sanctioned by the Nevada Commission on Ethics for using official resources to advance campaign-related activity during the 2022 gubernatorial campaign. He is, or reasonably should be, fully aware of the state’s statutes and the Commission’s guidance restricting the use of official social media accounts for private, political gain. “Governor Lombardo has already been made fully aware that this behavior is not allowed, yet he continues to brazenly repeat it. He either thinks the rules don’t apply to him or that he’s above the law,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller. “Using taxpayer-funded government accounts to boost his political campaign is unethical and a violation of the public trust. Nevadans deserve a governor who follows the rules, not one who exploits public resources to help himself win an election.” Governor Lombardo’s actions include using his official “Lombardo Outreach” (@LombardoSNV) account to:<ul><li>Repost a political message from his own political action committee about his polling position (<a href="https://x.com/BetterNevadaPAC/status/1915133072305229844">April 23, 2025</a>);</li><li>Tag his personal campaign account (@JoeLombardoNV) in posts about official state events, allowing him to convert official events into campaign promotion (<a href="https://x.com/LombardoSNV/status/1968898536688251002">September 19, 2025</a>);</li><li>Tag his campaign account in an event honoring public safety officers, blurring the lines between governing and campaigning (<a href="https://x.com/LombardoSNV/status/1968896516459778292">September 19, 2025</a>). </li></ul><a href="https://www.endcitizensunited.org/ethics-complaint-nevada-commission-on-ethics">Click here to read the full complaint</a>.### ECU is dedicated to combating the two biggest challenges facing our democracy: the corrosive impact of Big Money and attempts to block access to the ballot box. Since its founding in 2015, ECU has had over 1.4 million donors with an average donation of just $14. The group has more than four million members nationwide.&nbsp;

ECU Endorses Rep. Whiteside For Reelection

<h5>May 29th, 2025</h5><h3>Rep. Crow, Sen. Tester call for reforms during ‘dark money’ discussion in Aurora</h3>Cassandra Ballard 05/29/25(<a href="https://sentinelcolorado.com/metro/rep-crow-sen-tester-call-for-reforms-during-dark-money-discussion-in-aurora/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sentinel Colorado</a>) So-called “dark money” political contributions are a growing force in local and national elections, crossing all kinds of political lines, Aurora Democratic Rep. Jason Crow and guests said at a roundtable discussion in Aurora Wednesday.In 2024, $20 billion was spent during the election cycle, and 75% of the cash was untraceable “dark money” , said&nbsp;Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United.“Of course, corruption is happening,”&nbsp;Muller&nbsp;said. “Of course, we’re just seeing our government sold off to the highest bidder.”She said there are now three lobbyists for every member of Congress.These and other campaign contribution issues were the topics discussed at the event at the Community College of Aurora among&nbsp;Muller, Crow, Aly Belknap, executive director of Colorado Common Cause and Montana Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Tester.&nbsp;Crow held the panel with&nbsp;End Citizens United&nbsp;to discuss his work in Congress to combat campaign finance corruption and enact meaningful campaign finance reform, including his recent introduction of the End Dark Money Act, which aims to curb the influence of dark money in U.S. elections.[…]There are other times in American history when citizens fought back against the political system,&nbsp;Muller&nbsp;said.“Let’s go back to the Gilded Age, where we saw an economic and income inequality that’s rivaled only by today,”&nbsp;Muller&nbsp;said. “We saw permanent power being held in just a few hands.”&nbsp;That movement led to the direct election of senators and the Tillman Act, which banned corporate contributions in federal elections for nearly a century, she said.&nbsp;In the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, the United States implemented extensive reforms, including the establishment of the Federal Election Commission, as well as contribution and disclosure limits,&nbsp;Muller&nbsp;said.&nbsp;“Let’s renew them,”&nbsp;Muller&nbsp;said. “I believe that what we have seen is that the people will keep fighting this fight.”Colorado’s strict disclosure laws and the ability to file campaign finance complaints have proven effective in deterring dark money groups like the Koch brothers, who contribute far less to Colorado elections “because they didn’t want to be exposed for all of the money they were spending,”&nbsp;Muller&nbsp;said.&nbsp;“We might not be able to just overturn Citizens United legislatively,”&nbsp;Muller&nbsp;said. “We can pass disclosure and transparency, and we know that that works. We know it because we’ve seen it in state after state.”&nbsp;The Federal Election Commission, established 50 years ago, is now largely dysfunctional due to partisan stalemates and a lack of a quorum,&nbsp;Muller&nbsp;said.“We could reform the Federal Elections Commission and make it work,”&nbsp;Muller&nbsp;said. “Have a watchdog on the beat again.”&nbsp;She also recommended passing online disclosures to identify who is funding political misinformation online, as well as ethics and transparency reforms for the Supreme Court, so that they can’t receive millions from individuals with cases before the court.

Unrig Washington

The 2026 midterm elections will be a referendum on a broken system. Voters across the political spectrum, especially Independents and swing voters, are hungry for change. They overwhelmingly see corruption, self-dealing, and special interest influence as the root cause of Washington’s failures.To meet this moment, we’re calling on elected officials and candidates to Unrig Washington. This End Citizens United program is a bold, public commitment to clean up Washington by supporting real anti-corruption reforms and leading by example. <ol><li>Ban Congressional Stock Trading: Support legislation to prohibit Members of Congress from trading individual stocks. Public office is a place to serve, not to profit.</li><li>Refuse Corporate PAC Money: Reject all contributions from corporate PACs to send a clear message: Elected officials' priorities are the people, not powerful corporations or special interests.</li><li>Crack Down on Dark Money: Fight to end the flood of undisclosed political spending by supporting legislation to expose secret donors, increase transparency, and fix the FEC to have a cop on the beat. It's time to end the dominance of billionaire-funded special interest groups.</li></ol>

<h2>IN THE NEWS </h2><h5>Septemeber 19th, 2025</h5><h5>ICYMI: <a href="/3c9937cc-4e4f-4238-a375-dba82a7bc8f6">Trump’s Corruption Gives Democrats A Shot At A Unifying Message</a> [HuffPost] </h5><h5>AUGUST 21st, 2025</h5><h5><a href="/13bc2077-4f96-40cd-85cc-1011ac916278">Democratic Group Files Ethics Complaint Against Rep. Rob Bresnahan Over Private Helicopter Disclosure</a> [NOTUS] </h5><h5>july 22nd, 2025</h5><h5><a href="https://endcitizensunited.org/tiffany-muller-morelle-amendment" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller Remarks on Representative Joe Morelle's Constitutional Accountability Amendment</a> </h5><h5>july 9th, 2025</h5><h5><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/06/25/lgbtq-advocates-upset-with-topekas-cavalier-reversal-of-protections-in-face-of-dei-backlash/#:~:text=Muller%2C%20now%20president%20of%20the,diversity%2C%20equity%20and%20inclusion%20policies." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The FEC keeps canceling its open meetings </a>[politico] june 25th, 2025</h5><h5><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/06/25/lgbtq-advocates-upset-with-topekas-cavalier-reversal-of-protections-in-face-of-dei-backlash/#:~:text=Muller%2C%20now%20president%20of%20the,diversity%2C%20equity%20and%20inclusion%20policies." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LGBTQ+ advocates upset with Topeka’s ‘cavalier’ reversal of protections in face of DEI backlash</a><a href="https://www.meidasplus.com/p/citizens-united-broke-democracy-were" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> </a>[kansas reflector] june 19th, 2025</h5><h5><a href="https://www.meidasplus.com/p/citizens-united-broke-democracy-were" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Citizens United Broke Democracy. We're Fighting Back </a>[Meidasplus] june 8th, 2025</h5><h5><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jun/08/trump-musk-feud-money-politics" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Trump-Musk feud shows what happens when unregulated money floods politics</a> [the guardian] june 4th, 2025</h5><h5><a href="https://www.ifs.org/blog/the-fec-at-50-protecting-free-speech-from-campaign-finance-lawfare/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The FEC at 50: Protecting Free Speech from Campaign Finance Lawfare</a> [institute for free speech] june 4th, 2025</h5><h5><a href="https://www.salon.com/2025/06/04/people-saw-the-money-being-spent-jasmine-crockett-says-wealthy-elites-bought-the-presidency/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">"People saw the money being spent": Jasmine Crockett says wealthy elites bought the Trump presidency</a> [Salon] june 3rd, 2025</h5><h5><a href="https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/728664/could-a-sleepy-case-in-maine-rewrite-campaign-finance-laws/?unlock=8O2O5D4IBRERJ255" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Could a little-known case in Maine rewrite campaign finance laws?</a> [national journal] june 3rd, 2025</h5><h5><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5329394-tester-weintraub-fight-corruption/amp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tester, Weintraub join Democratic organization to counter corruption</a> [the hill] may 29th, 2025</h5><h5><a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2025/05/28/bennet-town-hall-israel-gaza-hamas-dark-money-jon-tester/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">At town hall, Bennet faces protests over Israel’s attacks in Gaza</a> [The denver post] May 29th, 2025</h5><h5><a style="color: var(--color-text-accent-secondary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text-accent-secondary)" href="/6ed289fd-b7de-46a8-a2d7-656e65db1ff4">Rep. Crow, Sen. Tester call for reforms during ‘dark money’ discussion in Aurora</a> [SENTINEL COLORADO]</h5>

Latest News

End Citizens United Endorses State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi for Virginia Lt. Governor copy

End Citizens United Honors Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi

<h5>OCTOBER 20th, 2025</h5><h3>End Citizens United Endorses Chris Mann for Kansas Attorney General</h3>End Citizens United (ECU), one of the nation’s leading anti-corruption organizations, today endorsed Chris Mann for Kansas Attorney General. A former police officer and prosecutor, Mann has spent his career holding corrupt and powerful actors to account and fighting for fairness, justice, and safer communities across the state. “From his days on the beat as a police officer to his work in the courtroom taking on white-collar crime, Chris Mann has built a distinguished record of taking on corrupt and powerful interests and protecting everyday Kansans,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller. “As Attorney General, he will continue that work and restore decency to the state’s top law enforcement office. The contrast in character between Chris and the current occupant of the office could not be clearer. We are proud to stand with him and help deliver the leadership Kansas deserves.”“I’m honored to have the endorsement of End Citizens United and share their commitment to creating a more transparent government —one that serves working families, not the wealthy and powerful,” said Kansas Attorney General candidate Chris Mann. “As Attorney General, I’ll fight to ensure our democracy works for every Kansan and will work tirelessly to expose wrongdoing, stand up for vulnerable communities, and turn promises of fairness into real action.” ### ECU is dedicated to combating the two biggest challenges facing our democracy: the corrosive impact of Big Money and attempts to block access to the ballot box. Since its founding in 2015, ECU has had over 1.4 million donors with an average donation of just $14. The group has more than four million members nationwide.&nbsp;

<h5>November 10th, 2025</h5><h3>End Citizens United Blasts Latest GOP Attack on Mail-In Voting as Supreme Court Takes Up Case on Postmarked Ballots</h3>WASHINGTON, DC — End Citizens United (ECU) President Tiffany Muller released the following statement in response to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-mail-ballot-deadline-mississippi-198789b582ac14fdee18a12bbd73e166" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">news</a> that the Supreme Court will consider a Republican-led challenge aimed at blocking states from counting mail-in ballots postmarked by, but arriving shortly after, Election Day. “Once again, Republicans are weaponizing the courts to attack the right to vote by mail, a secure, popular, and widely used process that Trump has long sought to sabotage. Make no mistake: Refusing to count ballots postmarked by Election Day would silence voters whose mail is delayed through no fault of their own, most egregiously the brave service members casting votes from overseas to ensure they are represented in the country they risk their lives to defend.&nbsp;“Every American, whether a senior voting by mail or a soldier casting a ballot from a military base abroad, deserves to have their vote counted. Anything less is an unacceptable and politically motivated attack on democracy.” ### ECU is dedicated to combating the two biggest challenges facing our democracy: the corrosive impact of Big Money and attempts to block access to the ballot box. Since its founding in 2015, ECU has had over 1.4 million donors with an average donation of just $14. The group has more than four million members nationwide.&nbsp;

<h5>January 23rd, 2026</h5><h3>ICYMI: End Citizens United, House Members Mark 16th Anniversary of Citizens United with Floor Speeches</h3>WASHINGTON, DC — This week, End Citizens United Action Fund (ECU) marked the 16th anniversary of the Citizens United decision by organizing an effort that included floor speeches from 10 House members. Led by Representatives Joe Neguse and Suhas Subramanyam, the members discussed how unlimited and undisclosed money in politics has supercharged corruption, harmed working families, and eroded public trust, while reaffirming the need for comprehensive campaign finance reform.&nbsp;Below are highlights of speeches from Democratic members of the House:&nbsp;Rep. Suhas Subramanyam:“When the wealthy few can drown out the many, we lose sight of who we are supposed to serve. Policymaking gets overshadowed by these special interests. After Citizens United, too often it is small groups of corporations and billionaires tipping the scales based on who serves their business interests. This can and must end. The American people have a voice, and if the majority support a candidate or a reform, that should win the day alone.”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/repsuhas/status/2014173728687448504?s=46&amp;t=pby8HG_viF2OxuRWwuLomQ"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/476ee4a7-2f17-419d-a69f-d9ca0219a973/3ab0ad7a-cf24-4514-925c-417f9d6422e4/3ab0ad7a-cf24-4514-925c-417f9d6422e4.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1268%2C696&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="base"></a>Rep. Joe Neguse:“That decision overturned longstanding precedent and limits on political spending by special interests. The decision created a dark money system where money speaks louder than everyday Americans. It has shifted power and influence away from everyday Americans, from the folks in our communities that we are privileged to serve, to instead these shadowy special interests that flood your television screen every evening. In my view, Citizens United undermined what it means to be a country of the people, by the people, and for the people — and above all, accountable to the people.”<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/stopbigmoney/status/2014143341970051529?s=46&amp;t=pby8HG_viF2OxuRWwuLomQ"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/476ee4a7-2f17-419d-a69f-d9ca0219a973/0520f600-c163-4adf-80e7-5aff20a410d0/0520f600-c163-4adf-80e7-5aff20a410d0.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1296%2C710&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="base"></a>Rep. Delia Ramirez:“We need bold, legislative action if we’re going to end corruption and get Big Money out of politics and get corporate influence out of our communities. I want to close by thanking End Citizens United and its president, Tiffany Muller, for all the work they’re doing to ensure that we get dark money out of politics and that we ensure a democracy by the people, for the people. It is time we end this, and I know that collectively we can do it.”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/repdeliaramirez/status/2014134924077395976?s=46&amp;t=pby8HG_viF2OxuRWwuLomQ"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/476ee4a7-2f17-419d-a69f-d9ca0219a973/518b21d8-f82a-49db-b6f6-19b7ee0002af/518b21d8-f82a-49db-b6f6-19b7ee0002af.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1400%2C768&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="base"></a>&nbsp;Rep. Joe Morelle:“It is well beyond time for Congress to pass a comprehensive campaign finance reform package to protect our constituents from the widespread political corruption that Citizens United unleashed. Since 2010, more than 10 billion dollars in corporate and dark money has saturated every aspect of our politics. Super PACs and dark money groups now spend vast sums to influence and sometimes determine election outcomes, while shielding their donors from public scrutiny.”&nbsp;<img src="https://run.imgix.net/476ee4a7-2f17-419d-a69f-d9ca0219a973/14c3bdf8-fc25-403a-9f8d-3b8c313faf43/14c3bdf8-fc25-403a-9f8d-3b8c313faf43.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1402%2C792&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="base">&nbsp;Rep. Adelita Grijalva:“Fossil fuel companies and mining companies pour enormous sums into elections to block climate action, while communities like mine in Arizona face record heat, drought, and wildfires. This is a choice between democracy that serves donors or one that serves people. The choice couldn’t be clearer. Sixteen years after Citizens United, we need to shift the power back to everyday Americans and away from those who can write the biggest checks.”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/rep_grijalva/status/2014141595868672265?s=46&amp;t=pby8HG_viF2OxuRWwuLomQ"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/476ee4a7-2f17-419d-a69f-d9ca0219a973/99895d0a-d973-4cfc-a30b-ce6cda081280/99895d0a-d973-4cfc-a30b-ce6cda081280.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1344%2C756&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="base"></a>&nbsp;Rep. Greg Landsman:“This was a multi-decade campaign that big corporations and the super wealthy paid for to get a Supreme Court that would change the law so that they could spend whatever they wanted on their politics. Now they can spend unlimited amounts of money on elections, on campaigns, on politicians, and they don’t have to report any of it. Any major issue in this country — whether it’s attacks on democracy, the issues with our economy, health — it all can be traced back to the concentration of wealth and power and Citizens United.”<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/StopBigMoney/status/2014755689919365346?s=20"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/476ee4a7-2f17-419d-a69f-d9ca0219a973/f1bacbfc-f422-4b5e-ae30-fcfaa3a3901f/f1bacbfc-f422-4b5e-ae30-fcfaa3a3901f.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1374%2C768&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="base"></a>&nbsp;Rep. Jill Tokuda:“This decision did not rewrite campaign finance law. It sold our democracy to the highest bidder. Before Citizens United, elections were about persuading voters. After, it became about courting billionaires. As of 2025, there are 2,502 super PACs. For the 2024 election, they’ve taken in over five billion dollars — much of it dark money, much of it undisclosed, and much of it designed to drown out the voices of everyday Americans. Let’s be clear: This isn’t free speech. This is legalized corruption.”&nbsp;<img src="https://run.imgix.net/476ee4a7-2f17-419d-a69f-d9ca0219a973/a767f892-4a96-46b8-b276-d6213cf40413/a767f892-4a96-46b8-b276-d6213cf40413.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1396%2C788&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="base">&nbsp;Rep. Mark DeSaulnier:“When billionaires and corporations are able to spend unlimited amounts to influence the results of our elections, our elected officials are, in turn, unfortunately more likely to respond by passing legislation that benefits corporations and the richest Americans — while making life more expensive for middle class Americans… Our nation and the world are experiencing record levels of income inequality, and the impact of Citizens United and their handouts to the obscenely rich and powerful are only making it worse.”<img src="https://run.imgix.net/476ee4a7-2f17-419d-a69f-d9ca0219a973/bee56dfc-7226-445c-9f4a-4db0251ea86a/bee56dfc-7226-445c-9f4a-4db0251ea86a.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1394%2C750&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="base">&nbsp;Rep. Melanie Stansbury:“We have a judiciary across the street who is considering undermining the fundamental voting rights of the American people, after their wealthy donors took them on trips and involved them in this vast scheme over the last several years to fundamentally remake America…This is what comes from Citizens United. And that is why I am absolutely dedicated to fighting to make sure that we get Big Money out of politics, that we end Citizens United, and that when we take back the House, I guarantee you that on day one, our priority will be to root this corruption and this rot out of the federal government.”&nbsp;<img src="https://run.imgix.net/476ee4a7-2f17-419d-a69f-d9ca0219a973/89b77c31-ecc2-4f89-a744-b96374c8747a/89b77c31-ecc2-4f89-a744-b96374c8747a.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1370%2C772&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="base">&nbsp;Rep. Valerie Foushee:“When unlimited outside spending can be deployed against a single vote, it shapes the decisions lawmakers can take. It narrows the range of feasible policy. It rewards delay and protects entrenched interests, often at the expense of the public’s priorities. Meanwhile, Americans face one of the most pressing affordability crises in decades. Health care, housing, childcare, energy, and grocery costs are all rising. Yet policies that could provide immediate relief are repeatedly stalled.”&nbsp;<img src="https://run.imgix.net/476ee4a7-2f17-419d-a69f-d9ca0219a973/b8c7d0df-f8d7-48a0-8cc7-3f707ba140bc/b8c7d0df-f8d7-48a0-8cc7-3f707ba140bc.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1340%2C764&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="base"> ###For 10 Years, End Citizens United (ECU) has been dedicated to combating the two biggest challenges facing our democracy: the corrosive impact of Big Money in politics and attempts to block access to the ballot box. Since its founding in 2015, ECU has had over 1.4 million donors with an average donation of just $14. The group has more than four million members nationwide and is one of the nation’s leading anti-corruption organizations.

ECU Files Complaint Requesting Investigation into Rep. Young Kim

<h5>August 6th, 2025</h5><h3>End Citizens United // Let America Vote Statement on the Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act</h3>End Citizens United // Let America Vote (ECU // LAV) President Tiffany Muller issued the following statement on the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965:&nbsp;“Sixty years ago, the&nbsp;Voting Rights Act was signed into law to protect the freedom to vote and guard against racial discrimination in our elections. Today, that promise is under assault. Donald Trump, congressional Republicans, and Republican-controlled state legislatures are waging a coordinated campaign to silence Americans––particularly voters of color––by blocking access to the ballot box. From voter roll purges and discriminatory ID laws to the closure of polling locations in minority communities, there’s no doubt about what they’re doing and who they’re targeting.&nbsp;“The Supreme Court’s extremist right-wing majority gave the green light for this movement. By gutting key protections in&nbsp;Shelby Country v Holder and Brnovich v DNC, the Court enabled and legalized discriminatory practices that were outlawed by the Voting Rights Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;“This anniversary is both a reminder of what’s at stake and a call to action. We must keep up the fight and demand Congress pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act to stop corrupt, power-hungry politicians from attacking our most fundamental freedom and to ensure our elections reflect the will of people.”

ICYMI: Trump’s Corruption Gives Democrats A Shot At A Unifying Message [HuffPost]

<h5>January 15th, 2026</h5><h3>ICYMI: End Citizens United, Eight Senators Mark 16th Anniversary of Citizens United with Floor Speeches</h3>ICYMI: End Citizens United, Eight Senators Mark 16th Anniversary of Citizens United with Floor Speeches&nbsp;WASHINGTON, DC — Yesterday, End Citizens United Action Fund (ECU) began its effort to mark the 16th anniversary of the Citizens United decision by organizing an effort that included floor speeches from eight senators. Led by Senator Mark Kelly, they spoke about how unlimited and undisclosed money in politics has supercharged corruption, harmed working families, and eroded public trust, while reaffirming the need for comprehensive campaign finance reform.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Families are struggling with rising expenses for health care, for housing, for utilities, for groceries, just about everything,” said Senator Mark Kelly. “They want their government to help bring down costs and help make their lives more affordable. But time and again, the policies that would do exactly that stall, or they just die right here in this chamber and down the road at the White House. Sixteen years after Citizens United, this is not about re-litigating a court case. It’s about recognizing how deeply money in politics affects people’s lives and about drawing a clear line between a political system that serves billionaires and one that serves people.”&nbsp;“Every time we have brought it up, every Republican has voted to defend dark money,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “And every Democrat has voted to rid our politics of this corrupting scourge. It is a clear divide, a clear difference between us, and the public is with us. The public is infuriated that big, secretive special interests can control our politics from behind the scenes with massive dark money contributions.”&nbsp;“We have a money in politics system that is corrupting the vision of government by and for the people,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “It’s replacing it with government by and for the powerful. Who in America wants a governmental system — designed and intended to be a reflection of ordinary citizens’ desires and aspirations and opinions — to simply be a country run by oligarchs and billionaires? Yet that is where we have arrived.”&nbsp;“It is impossible to even trace what money is coming in and from where,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar. “Unlimited anonymous federal spending in our elections doesn’t encourage free speech — it drowns out the voices of American people who are seeking to participate. I’ve long supported the constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and restore the authority of Congress and the states to establish reasonable limits on campaign spending.”&nbsp;“Citizens United has created a system where presidential pardons are pay-to-play, where environmental regulations that keep us safe and healthy are slashed, where corporate mergers are rubber-stamped by federal regulators,” said Senator Cory Booker. “Sixteen years now, we have seen the slow, cancerous corruption of American democracy. We’ve seen how folks who pay the price get outsized influence — that a small group of billionaires and corporations wield enormous power over elections and, in turn, over the policies that all Americans have to live under.”&nbsp;“It’s important for us to remember not to feel helpless,” said Senator Andy Kim. “Too often, we say that money in politics is a problem too big — we can’t solve it. Or the challenges are too entrenched, we’re not going to be able to mobilize to fix it. But I urge us on this anniversary of Citizens United that it doesn’t have to be this way. We don’t need to have a politics that is exasperating. We can have one that is empowering. We can have one where the voices of voters, not the endless bank accounts of the well-off and the well-connected, decide who represents us. And we can have a politics that restores and grows trust, rather than actively degrading it.”&nbsp;“Citizens United was mindless. To say that a business has the same rights as individuals under the Constitution is a mindless conclusion,” said Senator Dick Durbin. “This Citizens United decision and where we are in politics today has changed this business so much. I’m not sure we can ever reclaim the kind of idealism we all aspire to as public servants in this institution.” “There’s a group that’s being formed right now called Leading the Future, another one of these innocuous-sounding PACs — it’s promising to spend $100 million in the election this fall. It is being funded by a group of AI companies,” said Senator Chris Murphy. “You can understand why people feel powerless today, why people feel like the system is rigged. Because even if they give $25, it just doesn’t make a difference when a handful of companies can, with the snap of their fingers, muster $100 million to try to change the impact of an election on public policy.”&nbsp;###For 10 Years, End Citizens United (ECU) has been dedicated to combating the two biggest challenges facing our democracy: the corrosive impact of Big Money in politics and attempts to block access to the ballot box. Since its founding in 2015, ECU has had over 1.4 million donors with an average donation of just $14. The group has more than four million members nationwide and is one of the nation’s leading anti-corruption organizations.

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<h5>January 14th, 2026</h5><h3>End Citizens United President Slams GOP’s Sham Effort to Address Congressional Stock Trading</h3>End Citizens United Action Fund President Tiffany Muller issued the following statement on the Republican Party’s sham effort to address congressional stock trading, the Stop Insider Trading Act:“The Stop Insider Trading Act is performative politics at its worst,” said End Citizens United Action Fund President Tiffany Muller. “While the American people are demanding real, concrete reform to address corruption in congressional stock trading, Republicans are pushing a watered-down, bad faith bill designed to mislead the public. This bill does nothing to prevent members of Congress from using their positions of power to enrich themselves.”###

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<h5>September 24th, 2025</h5><h4>End Citizens United Congratulates Adelita Grijalva on Critical Win in AZ-07</h4>End Citizens United (ECU) President Tiffany Muller issued the following statement congratulating Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva on her special election victory in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District: “Congratulations to Representative-elect Grijalva on a hard-fought and well-deserved win. From day one, she made a choice that defined her campaign––rejecting corporate PAC money and putting people first. Voters rewarded that commitment with a decisive victory. “This election is a reminder that voters are demanding leaders who will fight for them, not the billionaire class and special interests. Her victory narrows the Republicans’ House majority and proves that voters will rally behind candidates who take on corruption and put working families at the center of their campaigns. “Representative-elect Grijalva will be a powerful voice in Congress for accountability, transparency, and a government that answers to the people. We’re proud to have supported her campaign, and we look forward to working with her as she takes on corruption and fights for Arizona families.” ECU <a href="/c3aa6cc1-e4df-4c07-acc6-069e4ab5e26b">endorsed</a> Grijalva in June, citing her pledge to refuse corporate PAC contributions in her campaign. Since then, ECU President Tiffany Muller traveled to Arizona to host a <a href="https://www.kgun9.com/news/community-inspired-journalism/marana/local-leaders-advocate-for-gun-violence-prevention" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">town hall-style event</a> with her, highlighted her candidacy in a <a href="https://substack.com/@endcitizensunited/p-172586330" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Substack interview</a>, and consistently raised awareness about her campaign. Grijalva was among the first candidates to sign onto the <a href="https://x.com/AdelitaForAZ/status/1968816095613141365" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Unrig Washington commitment</a>, End Citizens United’s newest effort to get Democrats to run on an anti-corruption platform. The <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trumps-corruption-is-giving-democrats-a-shot-at-a-unifying-message_n_68cc6dbfe4b08c5f603b922a" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">initiative</a> calls on candidates to ban congressional stock trading, reject corporate PAC money, and crack down on dark money.&nbsp;

<h2 style="text-align: center;">SCORING CRITERIA</h2><h4>The scorecard is based on several criteria, including cosponsoring the proposed constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, voting to prevent the SAVE Act from advancing as a restrictive voting measure, and rejecting corporate PAC money. Other criteria focused on protecting American families from historic attempts to weaken consumer and environmental protections, as well as opposing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which amounted to one of the most egregious transfers of wealth from the working class in order to reward GOP megadonors for their support. These grades reflect each member’s commitment to backing tangible reforms and defending against attacks on democracy.</h4>

<h5>November 4th, 2025</h5><h3>End Citizens United Congratulates Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger on Historic Win in Virginia</h3>End Citizens United (ECU) President Tiffany Muller released the following statement celebrating Abigail Spanberger’s victory in Virginia’s gubernatorial race and her becoming the Commonwealth's first woman governor: “Congratulations to Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger on her historic and well-earned victory. Spanberger has spent her career championing working families over special interests, challenging the corrosive influence of Big Money in politics, and earning a reputation as a principled fighter against corruption. “End Citizens United is proud to have endorsed and supported her campaign since last year. Throughout the election, she placed the voices of everyday Virginians above corporations that seek to control political outcomes. We look forward to seeing her bring this bold, people-first leadership to Richmond.” ECU first backed Spanberger in her successful 2018 bid for the U.S. House, where she joined a historic class of lawmakers elected on a platform of defending working families, expanding voting rights, and putting everyday Americans ahead of special interests. In Congress, she led the fight to ban Members of Congress and their families from trading individual stocks and twice cosponsored the For the People Act (H.R. 1), a landmark anti-corruption bill designed to root out Big Money in politics and strengthen democracy. ### ECU is dedicated to combating the two biggest challenges facing our democracy: the corrosive impact of Big Money and attempts to block access to the ballot box. Since its founding in 2015, ECU has had over 1.4 million donors with an average donation of just $14. The group has more than four million members nationwide.&nbsp;

The following elected officials and candidates have opted into End Citizens United's Unrig Washington program.

July 22nd, 2025

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