End Citizens United Targets the “Big Money 20”

In 2010, the Supreme Court of the United States made a very controversial decision. The case in question was called Citizen United v. The Federal Election Commission. As a result of the Supreme Court’s decision in the case, major section of the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act were struck down.

Many of the people and organizations who had worked diligently toward the goal of campaign finance reform were stunned by the Supreme Court’s actions. An effort was launched to try and find support among those in the Congress to overturn the decision of the Supreme Court.

In 2015, the organization End Citizens United was formed. The goal of this organization was to enact campaign finance reform and get big corporate money out of politics. End Citizens United lends its support to candidates who are in favor of election and campaign finance reform. For the mid-term elections in 2018, the organization has set a goal of contributing $35 million dollars to the campaigns of those who are seeking to enact the organization’s agenda.

One of the organization’s main aims for the mid-terms is the defeat of those incumbents who they are referring to as the “Big Money 20”. According to the organization, the “Big Money 20” are members of Congress who are especially beholden to big money donations from energy companies and the pharmaceutical industry. These incumbent members of Congress have been identified as those who are the greatest impediment to enacting campaign finance regulations.

Since the “Big Money 20” where identified, several of the members of the group have either resigned, or they have stated that they will not be seeking reelection in 2018. The highest profile member of the group who has announced that he will not be seeking reelection is the current Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.

Even though some on the list are already gone or will be leaving, there are still some major players in the Congress that are being targeted for defeat by End Citizens United. Senator Ted Cruz is among the most well-known of the organization’s targets. The organization is supporting the senator’s opponent who is CongressmanBeto O’Rourke.

Another United States Senator that is part of the “Big Money 20” is Dean Heller of Nevada. According to the End Citizens group, Senator Heller has helped the banking industry escape from regulations. Jacky Rosen is running against Senator Heller, and she has the endorsement of the End Citizens organization.

2018 is shaping up to be an important mid-term election cycle. It will be interesting to see if the efforts to unseat the members of the “Big Money 20” are successful.