Offering Support For 'Clean Election' Laws
By Nick Nyhart, Letter to the Editor
The Union-Tribune's position against Proposition 89 is
unfortunate and misguided (“No on Prop.
89/It's badly written, unconstitutional and
futile,†Editorial, Aug. 24). Proposition 89,
also known as “Clean
Elections†in the seven states and two
municipalities that currently have it as law, gives
candidates a chance to run for office without being in the
pocket of high-powered lobbyists and well-heeled campaign
donors.
As executive director of Public Campaign, I believe
Proposition 89 will offer qualified candidates a public
grant to run their campaign once they qualify by collecting
a set number of $5 contributions. And repeatedly, state and
federal courts have ruled the system constitutional.
In Maine and Arizona, where their statewide systems have
been up and running since 2000, Clean Elections has become
the norm. Currently, 10 of 11 statewide office-holders in
Arizona, including the governor, and more than 75 percent
of Maine lawmakers ran and won with public funding. Clean
Elections promotes a greater diversity of people running
for office and more competition.
Meaningful, common-sense campaign reforms do work.
Californians can take heart that Clean Elections is a
proven system that will bring change to politics. By
passing Proposition 89, California will make elections
about voters, not big campaign contributors.
NICK NYHART
Washington, D.C.
See the article on San Diego Union-Tribune website