Tommy Wells Challenges Fellow Candidates

June 13, 2013

Today Councilmember Tommy Wells' mayoral campaign delivered letters laying out a Leadership Challenge to candidates Muriel Bowser and Jack Evans.

"This week the District witnessed another clear example of elected leaders putting residents' interests behind those of big money from corporations and special interests. We cannot allow for the cultures of pay-to-play politics and corruption to continue. That is why I am challenging my colleagues to join me in refusing corporate campaign contributions."

Councilmember Wells laid out his Leadership Challenge in the letters delivered today followed by posting a short video. The video is available at www.tommywells.org and the text of the letter is below:


Monday was another sad day for our city. Yet another of our Council colleagues has committed a blatant and inexcusable violation of the public trust.

It made clear once again that there is a culture of corruption in city government that is deep and pervasive.

Every one of these scandals erodes the trust citizens must have in their leaders if we hope to succeed.

While I will continue to fight for stricter campaign finance and ethics rules for all elected officials, we can and must do something about it right now.

I am calling on you, as a candidate for Mayor, to accept my Leadership Challenge and refuse the corporate donations and bundled contributions from secretive LLCs that are at the root of our pay-to-play problems.

I have already implemented these limits on my own campaign. And now I am asking you to do the same.


Now is the time show real leadership. We must take the first steps to end the corruption and restore the citizens' faith in a transparent, ethical, and fair city government.


Please join me by signing this Leadership Challenge today. Without real change in the way we fund campaigns and run our government, DC's future is at risk.


Your pledge is the best way to make sure this campaign is about how to build a city and a government that works for every resident.


Sincerely,

Tommy Wells