Spiller: Show Us the Money

OPINION

Last night I was not on the stage for a democratic primary debate because of one single criteria: money. Not how much support we have statewide. Not how many signatures we gathered to be on the ballot. Not how we have ranked in the polls. Just money.

(The debate was sponsored by RWJ Barnabas and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield – two of the most powerful entities in the state of New Jersey who contribute to the high costs of healthcare for people like you and me).

To be on stage we needed to have raised nearly $600,000 to be heard. That’s easy if you are a candidate who has wealthy donors cutting huge checks. It’s easy if you accept money from the developers building luxury apartments in your city. It’s easy if you tap into Wall Street wealth connected to your family. It’s easy if you have the firms building up your city – that don’t use union labor- contribute to your campaign.

That’s the way the game is played. We all know it. Money and influence. This is what’s wrong with politics these days. People like you and me are kept off the debate stage and out of decision making spaces. I am running for Governor to change that.

My campaign has been asked a lot about money. So let me be clear. I’m proud of the fact that my campaign is funded by hard working people who can contribute $10 or $25 or maybe even $250. They are who I am fighting for and who I will represent as Governor.

And I’m honored to be supported by the NJEA that decided to invest in our campaign for Governor. And despite the questions and misinformation about Working New Jersey, everyone knows exactly the funding source – through a democratic process the NJEA invested in this run because our members wanted to overcome the wealthy corporate and special interests that all too often drown out the voices of working people.

The same cannot be said for the SuperPACs and “independent expenditures” supporting myopponents. And that’s a problem. NJELEC doesn’t require disclosure of donors until 11 days before the election by which time too many people have voted without this critical information.

Today I am calling on all candidates in this race to call for full disclosure of donors to all independent expenditures supporting candidates in this race. Give people the knowledge they deserve, to see who you are beholden to. If there is nothing to hide, then #ShowUsTheMoney.

As teachers, we often ask our students to “show us their math” – and now it’s time for my opponents to do the same. Let’s see who i really backing them, and then ask yourself who they will be fighting for in Trenton.