RESTORE COMPETITIVE ELECTIONS: SHORTEN CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING SEASON

LIVINGSTON, NJ – In a statement today, twenty seventh District State Assembly candidate Barry Funt proposed measures to keep New Jersey’s electoral process open and competitive by encouraging regular citizens to challenge incumbents.

“Elected officials are permitted to carry forward unused campaign contributions toward the next election, creating a dangerous situation,” Funt said. “A public official should have to stand on his or her record and answer to constituents in every single election.”

“Continuous fundraising creates an unfair advantage and restricts regular citizens from challenging incumbents,” Funt added. “Restoring accountable government requires opening up the process to citizens who have energy and ideas to contribute.”

To promote competition and openness in state and local races, Funt is proposing a requirement that any excess campaign funds be contributed to a charity or returned to contributors within 120 days after an election. Additionally, fundraising for any campaign would commence no earlier than 12 months prior to the next election.

“Statewide, incumbents came into this election cycle with over $3 million already on hand from the last election,” Funt said. “They added another $8 million during the primary season. Much of that money came from PACs, unions, and special interest groups whose political activity poses a serious conflict of interest.”

“Meanwhile, all challengers for the state legislature have raised only about $350,000 combined. This kind of disparity deals a crippling blow to competition and leaves regular citizens out of the process. We need to change this broken system if we are ever going to fix our broken government.”

Please visit www.funtforassembly.org for more information about Barry Funt’s candidacy for the State Assembly.

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Paid for by Funt for Assembly, P.O. Box 713, Livingston, NJ 07039

Michael M. Silverman, Treasurer