Donor Support for Citizens Over Corporations
We, the undersigned Democratic Party donors and supporters, applaud the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the Arizona Democratic Party, and the North Carolina Democratic Party for adopting resolutions to discourage the use of independent expenditures—commonly known as Big Money—in Democratic primaries.
We oppose the unchecked growth of special interest spending that undermines democracy and drowns out local voices. While such funding may be necessary in general elections to compete with Republicans, there is no justification for outside spending in Democratic primaries. These contests should reflect the will of Democratic voters, not the influence of unregulated, high-dollar interests.
As donors and supporters, we have seen too much money wasted on protecting primary candidates against special interest attacks. That money would be far better spent supporting Democratic nominees in general elections. Our goal is to help elect Democrats who are accountable to their communities, not beholden to outside spending.
The resolutions passed by the DNC, Arizona, and North Carolina Democratic Parties show strong leadership in restoring integrity to the nominating process. The DNC’s August resolution—calling for reduced influence of independent expenditures in the 2028 Democratic nominating process—sets a direction that other state and national Democratic organizations should follow.
We call on all state Democratic Parties, national organizations, and primary candidates to join this movement by taking the People’s Primary Pledge—a commitment to discourage or reject independent expenditures in Democratic primaries, including eliminating corporate and dark money independent expenditures. Such pledges ensure candidates remain authentic representatives of the people they seek to serve.
Together, we can reform our party’s primary process, amplify the voices of Democratic voters and candidates, reject Big Money’s interference, and build a truly people-powered democracy.
Signed (Initial Signatories):-
Jeff Blum
Beth Braun
Will Carter
Liam Connell
Ben Cohen
Larry Cohen
Ashley Craig
Alan Davis
Abigail Disney
Doug Edwards
Paul Egerman
Bob Fertik
Sandra Fluke
Jane Fonda
Jason Franklin
Jill Goldman
Adelaide Gomer
Van Gosse
Adam Green
Donna P. Hall
Leah Hunt-Hendrix
Susheela Jayapal
Alissa Keny-Guyer
George Krupp
Liana Krupp
Gara LaMarche
Larry Lessig
Arlene Levy
John O'Farrell
Susan Orkin
Larry Ottinger
Morris Pearl
Catherine Raphael
Barbara Simons
Sandor Straus
Stephanie Taylor
Jennifer Tomkins
Richie Tabachnick
Billy Wimsatt
