Campaign finance reform is, rightfully, on the minds of many. Particularly those of us proudly independent from a political party, who are concerned with the influence of dark money here in Maine.
While concerns with dark money are not new, today there are finally real solutions on the table.
One bill currently moving through Washington, the For the People Act, takes aim at this core democratic issue. Most importantly, it would bring dark money peddlers into the light, enacting robust disclosure requirements that ensure our politicians are beholden to the interests of their constituents, not far-off donors working behind the scenes.
Mainers of all political parties deserve to have their voices heard. For too long our democratic process has been muddied by out-of-state interests — as we all saw firsthand during last year’s Senate race.
No one should need convincing that dark money should be stripped from our campaigns, particularly in Maine. As Sens. King and Collins have the chance to weigh in on this debate in Washington, we trust they will keep in mind those of us who cast ballots, and rid our system of the powerful few intent on tipping the scales in Maine from out of state.
Kent Ackley, Monmouth, former state House representative
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