Our blind raters scored the candidates on their response to: Do you support public financing or stricter limits on outside (PAC/super PAC) spending? Are there any specific companies, organizations or individuals you would refuse donations from?

Beth Ellen Adubato

In some European countries, there is a cap on how much you can spend on a campaign. The super PACs in this country go further than just outspending candidates, they sometimes threaten them.  It is not new that political systems often scare away our most talented or best suited policy makers but allowing billionaires to essentially “purchase” some legislative seats has gotten us…well…here.

I am probably naïve in this area, so I am unaware of all the PACs and super PACs out there, but I do know that I would refuse donations from the NRA, AIPAC, Elon Musk, the Koch Brothers, and anyone of that ilk. I would only accept PAC money from issue PACs such as NOW or the National Women’s Political Caucus or from unions. Also, if there is a corporate PAC that is female/minority/LGBTQ+ owned and only does great things for people, I would accept donations from that entity. I am not sure that exists, however.

Brian Varela

Yes to both. I support public financing through opt-in small donor matching programs that amplify the voices of everyday Americans and reduce candidates’ dependence on wealthy donors. I also support the DISCLOSE Act to force transparency on dark money groups, and I believe we ultimately need a constitutional amendment to reverse Citizens United and restore Congress’s ability to limit outside spending that drowns out ordinary voters.

I was the first candidate in this race to pledge not to accept corporate PAC money or contributions from foreign national lobbying interests, and I’ve kept that commitment. I also refuse donations from the fossil fuel industry and from any PAC that takes money from the private prison or immigrant detention industry. These are industries whose profits depend on policies that hurt working families, and I won’t be beholden to them in Congress.

Our democracy works best when it belongs to the people, not career politicians and big donors. That’s why I’ve also pledged to ban stock trading by members of Congress, support a lifetime lobbying ban for former members, and put my own holdings in a blind trust. If we want Americans to trust their government again, we have to prove we’re working for them, not for the highest bidder.

Megan O’Rourke

Campaign spending is spiraling out of control and creating an excessively wasteful system that favors rich candidates and incumbents. To alleviate this crisis, I support public financing and fighting Citizens United as I outlined previously. I have not taken any corporate PAC money and would not accept corporate super PAC support. I would only consider modest corporate PAC donations if I were morally aligned with the mission of the organization (e.g. clean energy company).

Michael Roth

Corporate lobbyists, billionaires, and special interests have more power in Washington than the people. It’s time to end that era. In Congress, I will work to:

  • End Citizens United and take corporate money out of politics
  • Establishing term limits and age limits for federal office, including the House, Senate, Supreme Court, and Presidency
  • Ban stock trading for all Members of Congress

Rebecca Bennett

I do not accept corporate PAC money and strongly support a constitutional amendment undoing the damage from the Citizens United decision.

Tina Shah

I will not take a dime of corporate PAC money. My campaign is by, and for, the people.