San Francisco billionaire Tom Steyer, the nation’s single-largest political donor in the last election, is backing a California initiative designed to get big money out of politics.
Mr. Steyer, the former hedge-fund manager who gave $74 million to elect Democrats in 2014, has endorsed California’s Proposition 59, which takes aim at the Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission.
“Citizens United decision threatens democratic ideals. Let’s send a message: We want our democracy back,” said Mr. Steyer in a Wednesday post on Twitter.
The 2010 ruling held that political spending is a form of free speech, removing federal prohibitions preventing corporations, including nonprofits, and labor unions from making independent political expenditures prior to elections.
Michael Boos, executive vice president of the conservative group Citizens United, took a dig at Mr. Steyer’s endorsement.
“Hoping Steyer spends lavishly from his corporate accounts on this quixotic effort, which, thanks to Citizens United, he has a right to do,” Mr. Boos said.
Proposition 59 would amend the state Constitution by instructing California’s elected officials to use “all of their constitutional authority” to overturn Citizens United, although the measure is only advisory.
The Yes on 59 campaign has outraised opponents—mainly because there is no organized opposition — collecting $10,000 to support the initiative, according to the California Secretary of State.
The Sacramento Bee came out this week in support of the measure over concerns that a defeat would send the “wrong message,” while the Los Angeles Times opposed it, saying it would clutter up the Constitution with an ambiguous amendment.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.
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