What They're Saying

Everyday Arizonans across the state support Clean Elections as a way to make elections about voters and not big campaign donors. Here's what they're saying:

Let’s keep the lobbyists from running our elected officials.
--Randolph Lumm

This is a democracy and as such the people should have the power of decision not corporations. Our elected officials should be representing the people not big money. Clean Elections helps give this country back to the people.
--Cleopatria Martinez

It gives the Latino community and other minorities funding to run and campaign for elections. Participating candidates would continue to collect qualifying contributions to be eligible for public funding allocations exactly as under the current system.
--Mercedes Mercado-Ochoa

Anyone can afford to run with Clean Elections. Good people now represent us. We the people have spoken and now we have elected people who do represent us. Thank you. Please keep this bill in place.
--Irene Chavez

It gives a level playing ground for every official in Congress running. And it makes it possible for an official of lesser resources to get his message out. Without fair elections people who can cause change for the better of Arizona will never get heard. Fair elections makes it fair for everyone running. Let’s keep it this way.
--Eduardo Pacheco

More voters participate in the electoral process with the Clean Elections process. This is a much more democratic process. Also, more candidates who have little access to campaign funds have an opportunity to run and win.
--Rosie Lopez

Clean Elections affords the opportunity for any qualified citizen to run for office, not just the wealthy or those who take funds from lobbyists to support big business or special interests.
--Esther Duran Lumm

I value Clean Elections to reduce the influence of big donors that often do not reflect the wishes and desires of the general populace.
--Polo Martinez

To increase citizen participation in the political process.
--Gregory Mares

Allows all to participate in elections not just those with deep pockets.
--Silverio Garcia Jr.

Engages citizens and brings democracy to the forefront.
--Amalia Valle Villegas

Citizens have limited power through the vote and the only way to get candidates who will answer to the accountability of the vote is to have public financing to eliminate the overriding power of the wealthy with money to buy favors and candidates.
--Judy Whitehouse

Clean Elections permits candidates with lesser resources to conduct a respectable campaign.
--Frank Sacco

It allows every to have a level playing field in running for office.
--Joseph Larios

I dislike the idea of having any large contributors to a campaign possibly leveraging their donations to change the policy decisions or voting habits of an elected official.
--Michael Boggs

Clean Elections make government accessible to people, not only the rich, powerful and corrupt.
--Ken Clark

Candidates need to have an equal opportunity to be elected.
--Erica Pederson

It gives everyday hard-working Americans the opportunity to represent their community.
--Jee Nam

Keep elections clean and reasonable.
--Luis Lozoya

I love Clean Elections. I believe it should be the only way to be a candidate. It helps people be accountable to constituents not to businesses and contributors.
--Anthony Wesley

All can be included and have an opportunity to run for public office.
--Constantino Lopez

Clean Elections allows for a level playing field.
--Michael Potavin

I hate the corporate pigs.
--Antonio Bustamante

It allows the average person to raise funds to run.
--Al Preciado

I want my voice to be heard and counted.
--Sharon Zapata

Everyone should have equal access and that can’t happen if only the wealthy can run.
--Liana Rowe

Free speech should not be prioritized to those with deep pockets. It is for all citizens from all backgrounds.
--Todd Landfried

We cannot allow corporations to run this state.
--Sal Reza

I want a government that is as free of corruption as possible and giving all individuals the opportunity to hold elected offices regardless of connections to big business.
--Shana Higa

To manifest destiny.
--Sheila Mary Ryan

Provide equal opportunity so any person can afford to run for office. Provide opportunity for real change in the politics of our country.
--Lois Kelley

Levels the playing field. Removes fat cats.
--Lydia Guzman

Keep corporate interests under control. Gives a voice where it belongs, with the people!
--Mary Ellen Bradshaw, MD

It is an opportunity for citizens without a lot of money to run for public office. Office holders are not beholden to special interests.
--Janet Valder

Allows the average citizen to run and legislators to not worry about fundraising.
--Carol Corsica

Clean Elections is the means by which citizens can realize their right to run an effective campaign for elected office without going hat-in-hand to large donors and narrow interests.
--Bart Turner

One person, one vote not one dollar, one vote. Public money means public interest. Private money means private interest.
--Randall Holmes

Big/Corporate money corrupts our political system.
--Virginia Hauflaire

Because Clean Elections gives a better chance to give voice to the voiceless.
--Celeste Pettijohn

We have to get the influence of money out of elections.
--Marjorie Thornton

To reduce the impact of big money on elections. To allow people with ideas to run for office. To make all voices be heard.
--John Krick

To keep lobbyists/money groups from buying off politicians. I detest the Chamber of Commerce which detests the voters agenda. I like clean money to fund politicians.
--James Shea

The only (other than getting rid of the two party system) way to correct our democracy.
--Dan Hileman

To increase competition and bring varying viewpoints to each race.
--Darleen Phelan

Fair elections were available with charter government. We are going back. If this is not going to be counter attack showing how little favors the public and how much tax exempt works against the public.
--Richard Tracy Sr.

I am considering a run and it’s the only way I will be able to do it.
--Jeff Jameson

With some modification, it is the only way to allow ordinary people to receive enough money to run for state office.
--Lola Boan

It permits variety, permits skilled people to compete for the position not just wealthy buying elections.
--Phyllis Rowe

I like little democracy. The people should decide.
--Carolyn Cooper

Allows candidates to follow voters values rather than only large donors.
--William C. Lace

It allows a wide variety of candidates and opens the legislature to people who are not supported (and bought off) by the power structure that has caused our decline.
--Peter Hershfield

It levels the playing field.
--Will Heron

It keeps politicians more honest. They are not beholden to corporations (or at least it minimizes this) because the US Supreme Court has ruled that the corporate world can buy and sell elected officials. Clean Elections and election reform at the federal level are even more important to Americans.
--Rosie Lopez

Legislators are not beholden to special interests who run as Clean Elections candidates. Clean Elections gives access and opportunity to many who otherwise would not run but could be strong candidates. I value Clean Elections Commission strong oversight and ensuring that candidates comply with Clean Elections law.
--Janet Valder

Clean Elections lets candidates of the widest range of beliefs attempt to achieve an elected office. Although I do not like the ideas of some of the current office holders who got in due to Clean Elections, I think Clean Elections will ultimately get the best candidates to come forward.
--Patricia Watkinson

I value Clean Elections to protect the rights of our citizens to vote without interference in accordance with out laws.
--Catherine Zandler

It evens the playing field.
--Vint Lackey

It gives equal opportunity to people seeking elections.
--Georgene Faust

We need to keep Clean Elections. It benefits everyone.
--Dennis Gilman

Without public funding regular people will not be able to run for office. Arizona is ahead of the other states on one thing – Clean Elections. We cannot let it be destroyed.
--Shirley McAllister

It affords the opportunity for any citizen to run for public office, not just the wealthy.
--Esther Lumm

Take money out of elections. Put integrity back into our system. Clean Elections/Fair Elections are the key to strong democratic values.
--Elizabeth Hourican

Clean Elections assures equal access to elected positions by giving voters a chance to hear from those less well funded as well as those with financial backing. This give the voter a chance to be aware of the issues he/she cares about and wished to be voiced in the state.
--Lucy Logan

Anyone can run for office. You don’t have to have corporate money to run. It evens the playing field for elections.
--Saundra Cole

To protect the right to run for office and not need big money to back you up.
--Sharon Gowin

I value Clean Elections because it makes it possible for any person to run for office, regardless of their financial situation.
--Lilia Duran Holguin

Because Clean Elections gives future or current candidates the resources to run. We don’t want good and viable candidates not be able to run based upon the lack of funds.
--Janice Blackmon

This is the way all elections should be run. This is the best way to elect candidates who represent the people.
--Christopher Fleischman

Gives people who are not paid for by special interest groups to run for office and gives them a good chance to be elected.
--Cleopatria Martinez

I am currently a Clean Elections candidate.
--Lydia Hernandez

Clean Elections allow everyone to run for office, not just the people with rich friends.
--Paulina Jo McIe

It represents the best aspect of a true democracy, all candidates are equal under this law.
--Inge Casey

Gives every candidate a chance to compete.
--Carol Carver

I believe in fair elections.
--Richard Tracy Sr.

I believe that corporations and business owners do not represent my interests any longer. I believe that I must represent my own and my neighbor’s and my children and I actively fight for our own interests.
--Diana Murray

Many Americans will be losing out on public option health care because member of Congress aren’t being permitted to vote for this due to money. We need to prevent this happening at the local level.
--Caren Jablonsky

Provides citizens with a clear path to a healthy government.
--Eric Shelley

Keep corporate money out of elections.
--David Pearsall

Has allowed many qualified candidates to run for office.
--Diane McNamara

Clean Elections allows candidates who are not independently wealthy or with wealthy networks compete for state offices.
--Kevin Bondelli

My elected officials are more likely to represent me if they do not have to rely on big companies for the funds to run their elections.
--Rachel Russ

We need a level playing field.
--Stan Williams

Clean Elections has allowed middle class citizens to be elected to office without needing special interests. It has contributed extra money from the budget without taking money from income, sales or property taxes.
--Cole Hickman

Without many of our very qualified candidates are disadvantaged and we want them to have the same opportunities to make a difference in our state.
--Courtney Johnson

Clean Elections offers candidates fairer access to the political arena and are able to maintain a real democracy.
--Andrew Harner

It is very important to give good reason to all people to run for office. It provides a fair playing field.
--John Chiazza

Clean Elections creates an equal playing field when so many of our elected officials and candidates in Arizona are personally wealthy. Everyone deserves a fair opportunity to run for public office when they are so brave to do so.
--Megan McPherson

As a candidate for the AZ Senate, I realize the importance of having funds available for someone who does not believe in taking corporate or PAC funds. Clean Elections keep election funding transparent and that is important.
--James Samuelson

It keeps the playing field level.
--Cindy Samuelson

Elections are about representing the will of the people. Corporations are not people regardless of recent decisions. If corporations are allowed to buy the voice of the politicians we have lost it all.
--Corey Harbison

We need to separate the money from the politics.
--Michael Perry

Clean Elections allow all sincere candidates on both sides of the political spectrum to run viable campaigns that are dependent on citizen participation rather then having the seats bought and paid for by big business and special interests. It is the one true way to democracy.
--Rebecca Schneider

Financial status should not discourage a moral citizen from running for office. Equality! Each person running for office should be able to start on equal footing.
--Teresa Vargas

Clean Elections take the corrupting influence of money out of the system, as much as possible, and allows ordinary citizens to run for office.
--Vince Rabago

Eliminates preferential treatment.
--Larry Cassady