Reform Group Calls On Lunsford To Sign Voters First Pledge

Washington, D.C. - Public Campaign Action Fund, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving America's campaign finance laws, today called on U.S. Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford (D-KY) to support measures that would fundamentally change how campaigns are run in the wake of his decision to contribute $1 million to his campaign the day after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the so-called "Millionaire's Amendment" to the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.

In a letter sent to Lunsford, Public Campaign Action Fund asked the candidate to sign the Voters First Pledge which asks candidates to support a system of public financing of elections for qualified candidates who agree to strict spending limits and to take only small donations. The Pledge is a project of Common Cause, Public Campaign Action Fund, and Public Citizen.

"The timing of this decision will not, and should not, be lost on the voters of Kentucky, and I am writing to urge you to send an additional message that you believe politics is not solely the domain of the wealthy and well-connected," wrote David Donnelly, Public Campaign Action Fund's National Campaigns Director.

Lunsford's opponent, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, has been a consistent opponent of efforts to limit the influence of well-heeled special interests and big money campaign contributors in Washington, DC. The letter to Lunsford urges the candidate to offer himself up as an alternative to McConnell's "pay to play" politics.
"Bruce Lunsford is campaigning as a candidate of change," said David Donnelly. "There would be no more dramatic change in Washington than to blunt the power of big money in politics, and that's why Mr. Lunsford ought to sign the Voters First Pledge to make it clear that, if elected, he will be a clean break from the corrupt pay-to-play politics of Sen. McConnell."

The Voters First Pledge has already been signed by more than 150 candidates, including 100 incumbents. Last week, candidates in every congressional race in the country were emailed, faxed, and/or mailed the Pledge. For more information, and to read the Voters First Pledge, visit http://www.votersfirstpledge.org.