Four Anti-Corruption Champions We’re Endorsing

These candidates will be essential to flipping the House in November.

It’s starting to feel more than possible that Democrats can take back the House in November. President Trump’s approval ratings are abysmal. New polling out this week shows that just 30% of Americans support his handling of the economy and only 32% support how he’s initiated war with Iran. For dozens of Republican members of Congress who’ve voted in lockstep with the president’s agenda, that could spell doom on Election Day.

At End Citizens United, we’re endorsing candidates that are fighting to win back House districts across the map by vowing to fight political corruption. These candidates are part of ECU’s Unrig Washington campaign, which means they won’t take corporate PAC money, support congressional stock trading bans, and will work to crack down on dark money.

As we’ve said before: Supporting anti-corruption candidates isn’t just a means to better policy. It’s also good politics. American voters are angry with politics-as-usual, and in elections across the country they’re voting for candidates who reject the status quo and promise to do right by working people.

We want to introduce you to ECU’s most recently endorsed candidates running to flip House seats from Red to Blue. These are some of the candidates we’re proud to support.

Brian Poindexter is running to represent Ohio 7. When Ohio Republicans gerrymandered the state last year, they changed this district, but the right Democratic candidate can definitely flip this seat. Poindexter is running to replace Republican Max Miller, who takes thousands in corporate PAC money. Poindexter is an ironworker promising to bring “pro-worker mentality to the halls of Congress.” He’s backed by both Senator Bernie Sanders and is running to represent workers, not corporations – and that’s why End Citizens United is proud to endorse him.

“When times get tough, working people are always asked to do more with less,” Poindexter says. “I’m running for Congress because working people deserve real representation – not empty promises, not talking points, and not leaders who only remember us when its time to sacrifice.” As a member of the Brook Park City Council, Poindexter has opposed anti-union “Right to Work” laws and supported public schools. He’s a member of ECU’s Unrig Washington program and exactly the kind of candidate we need to reach voters who are angry about how years of out-of-control political corruption has harmed Ohioans.

“People are working harder and harder. We’re getting less and less and we’re getting more and more of the burden,” Poindexter told The Guardian, in a profile about his candidacy. “I’d like to see an economy that works for all of us, not just the wealthy.”

Kristina Knickerbocker is running to flip Ohio 10. Republican incumbent Mike Turner currently represents the district. Turner has accepted at least $3 million in corporate donations and in Congress has voted right in line with Trump over and over again. This year, that could bring him down. According to polling, a majority of voters in the district have an unfavorable view of Trump and disapprove of his job performance. More than half of Ohio 10 voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy, and half disapprove of his handling of the war with Iran. A Democratic candidate campaigning against this broken political system has a real shot of winning back this district.

Knickerbocker is a U.S. Air Force veteran and oncology nurse. She’s never held public office, and as a nurse, she’s seen firsthand how our broken political system has led to a broken healthcare system, with devastating consequences for patients.

“I’m honored to have the endorsement of End Citizens United,” Knickerbocker said. “I’ve seen how the medical system fails people, and it’s because big health care companies are too powerful in Washington, DC. Nobody should have to decide between getting life-changing care and putting groceries on the table for their family. I’m running to take on the special interests that are making our daily lives unaffordable, and I’m grateful for End Citizens United’s partnership in this mission.”

Randy Villegas is running in California 22. Villegas is challenging Republican David Valadao, who has voted to support the Republican Congressional agenda, including last year’s mega-bill that made $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid. As the director of Protect Our Care California described at the time: “Representative David Valadao just voted for the largest healthcare cuts in history in order to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations, and we’re going to make sure every single one of his constituents knows it.” Meanwhile, the editorial board at the local paper the Fresno Bee wrote, “Unfortunately, [Valadao] doesn’t measure up when it comes to looking out for the best interests of his community.” This Republican incumbent is vulnerable, and Villegas is a fantastic person to unseat him.

Villegas is the son of immigrants who was raised in a working-class family in Kern County, CA. He earned his Ph.D. and is now a college professor and community organizer. Unlike Valadao, who is funded by corporate donations, Villegas has signed onto End Citizen United’s Unrig Washington campaign and does not take corporate PAC money. He has a strong anti-corruption platform that includes banning congressional stock trading, undoing the harm caused by Citizens United, and introducing Congressional term limits. “We need real fighters and leadership in D.C. Our communities are suffering at home while corporations and billionaires keep getting richer. It’s time for that to end.”

Villegas has been endorsed by the imminent civil rights icon Dolores Huerta, members of Congress including Senator Bernie Sanders, Representative Pramila Jayapal, and Representative Ro Khanna, and many progressive and labor organizations like the California Teachers Association and the UAW. End Citizens United is proud to endorse Villegas because he has vowed to represent his constituents, not the corporate donors.

Tom Perriello is running to flip Virginia 6. This district is one of those affected by Virginia’s redistricting that could pave the way for Democrats to take back more House seats. It’s competitive but winnable for Democrats, especially with the right candidate. You may know the name Perriello, as he served in the House representing Virginia from 2009 to 2011. After his time in Congress, he served as the United States Special Envoy for the African Great Lakes and Sudan.

ECU is proud to endorse former Rep. Perriello, who is a part of Unrig Washington and made fighting corruption a centerpiece of his campaign. Governor Abigail Spanberger said, “Tom shows up, listens, and fights for what matters most… We need more leaders like Tom in Congress who will hold Washington accountable to the Constitution, common sense, and the people of the Commonwealth.” He’s also earned the endorsement of many other local leaders.

“I’m thrilled to be endorsed by End Citizens United, because corruption is killing us,” said former Rep. Tom Perriello. “Congress is kicking families off healthcare and jacking up costs so they can give kickbacks to dark money donors. I don’t take a dime from lobbyists or corporate PACs, so I appreciate the support from End Citizens United and their commitment to ending legalized corruption in Washington.”