PHOTO RELEASE: ECU and Abdul El-Sayed Bring 300 Michiganders to Anti-Corruption Town Hall

End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed sit on stage smiling in front of an audience.

Crowd of people applauding carrying End Citizens United and Abdul for Senate signs.

Lansing, MI — More than 300 people filled the room for a town hall tonight hosted by U.S. Senate nominee Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and End Citizens United (ECU), a leading national anti-corruption organization. With 25 days until Election Day, the event reflected a surging movement to tackle the vast influence that corporations and billionaires wield in elections.

ECU President Tiffany Muller led a conversation with Dr. El-Sayed about what it will take to get money out of politics and back into the pockets of Michiganders. Perverse campaign financing incentives have directly caused the rising cost of living and everyday issues that working people face, from maintaining health insurance to buying groceries.

“Michiganders are sick and tired of footing the bill for corruption in Washington,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller. “They’re working harder just to make ends meet while the government only gives the time of day to its wealthy special interest donors. That’s why Abdul’s message has energized so many people in Michigan and across the country. We saw today that people are truly fired up to elect leaders like Abdul who will root out pay-to-play in government, won’t take a single corporate PAC check, and are serious about tackling costs.”

“Special interests have been pouring more and more money into elections to rig the system against everyday people,” said Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. “Michigan families want Washington to work for them, not for corporations or billionaires. We heard that loud and clear today. My promise to Michiganders is simple: I’ll always answer to them, not to the highest bidder, and I’ll fight to get money out of elections. I’m grateful to have joined End Citizens United for this important conversation about how we can make our politics accountable.”

Dr. El-Sayed is one of more than 300 Democrats who have joined ECU’s Unrig Washington program by committing to reject corporate PAC money, support a ban on congressional stock trading, and help get dark money out of politics. He also earned ECU’s endorsement in the Democratic primary for being one of the foremost champions of restoring a government that responds to the people.

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For 11 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 son of Southeast Michigan, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is running for US Senate to get money out of politics, put money back in your pockets, and pass Medicare for All. A union member and University of Michigan alum, Abdul is fighting for Michiganders—not billionaires and corporations. Learn more at AbdulForSenate.com.