Supporters of Seattle’s Initiative 122 have raised a grand total of $1.3 million. Comparatively, the opposition campaign, “No Election Vouchers,” has raised about $44,000. Much of I-122’s fundraising success is due to the generosity of a handful of rich outsiders.
The irony is clear. Proponents of I-122, operating under the ill-named “Honest Elections Seattle,” argue against the dangers of large companies and wealthy individuals using their money to “push regular people out of the political process.” I-122 would give every registered voter in Seattle vouchers to spend on candidate campaigns.
Liberal groups backing I-122 don’t seem disturbed by the hypocrisy of it all. Of course, the fact that they are getting paid to push the initiative probably has a lot to do with that fact.
I-122 is being pushed by the who’s who of far-left political groups in Seattle, including Washington Community Action Network (CAN), Washington Bus, Win/Win Action, FUSE Washington, and the Sightline Institute. According to the Seattle Times, Washington CAN has contributed more than $313,000 to the I-122 campaign. Win/Win Action has donated more than $52,500. All these groups, in turn, are the recipients of the Progress Alliance of Washington’s money—which is also pumping staff time and money toward I-122.
The Progress Alliance of Washington has a long history of running a liberal attack network in our state. As Shift reported, the purpose of I-122 is not to make elections fair. Rather, proponents have certain national ambitions.
