Contact:
Richard Carlbom: 651-261-1306
At Debate: Congressman Paulsen Misleads Voters
Dean Phillips Presses Congressman on Corruption in Congress
Today in the first debate between candidates for Congress in Minnesota’s Third District, Congressman Erik Paulsen refused to be honest with voters when directly confronted about how much money he takes from special interests — despite clear evidence reported by several outlets including The New York Times.
“We have a Congress that is bought and sold by special interests and Congressman Paulsen ranks 6 out of 435 when it comes to those who take money from PACs, special interests, federal lobbyists and other Members of Congress,” said Dean Phillips. “I take none.”
The New York Times featured Dean Phillips as the only candidate in the country to reject money from PACs, federal lobbyists, special interests and even Members of Congress. The same article reports that Congressman Paulsen ranks 6 out of 435 Members of Congress when it comes to taking special interest money — even below Speaker Paul Ryan.
“I will be the loudest voice for campaign finance reform that Congress have ever seen; it is time to get money out of politics,” said Phillips. “I invite everyone to join me at an issue forum on the subject this Monday. National experts will join us in Edina and I hope Congressman Paulsen will choose to join us as well.”
The Phillips Campaign will host a public issue forum on campaign finance reform that is free and open to the public. The forum will feature several guests, including national figures Tiffany Muller of End Citizens United and Congressman John Sarbanes (MD), along with local experts including former State Representative Ryan Winkler. More guests will be announced in the coming days.
Details for the event:
Everyone’s Invited Issue Forum – Get Big Money Out of Politics
Monday, August 27, 2018
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Southdale Library, Edina, MN
Special Guests: Tiffany Muller from End Citizens United, U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, former State Rep. Ryan Winkler
In April of 2018, Phillips invited Congressman Paulsen to join him in signing The Minnesota Way pledge, a mutual pact which includes a promise to hold two public events per month — while also committing to no PAC funding or self-financing, and to limiting or eliminating spending by outside groups. Congressman Paulsen is yet to sign the agreement, and is currently the sixth largest recipient of special interest in all of Congress and votes with the Trump Administration nearly 98% of the time.