By Mary Jo Pitzl | Capitol Media Services
Key Points:
- Arizona Democrats propose “People’s Primary” to bar big money in primary elections
- The proposal would impose penalties on candidates who don’t reject outside spending
- Arizona Democrats would be the first party to enact such a policy nationwide
Arizona Democrats want to bar corporate and billionaire contributions in their primary elections, an appealing idea that has been bogged down in the details as the August primary looms.
The proposed “People’s Primary” could set a national precedent and may come up for a vote at the party’s general meeting on Jan. 24.
But some Democrats worry the proposal, which would impose stiff penalties for candidates who don’t take the anti-big money pledge, would handicap Democratic candidates. Others, while supportive, say key details still need to be worked out.
Still others, such as Jeanne Lunn, a party committee chair, say the pledge is not the right solution to the admitted problem of big money in campaigns.
