Dear candidate,

I am writing on behalf of 10,145 citizens who have signed a petition to urge you, as a presidential candidate, to support real change in the way Washington works.

As we approach tomorrow's Republican contests in 21 states, voters who are clamoring for change have been treated to a litany of empty, rhetorical promises and band-aid ideas that do little to address the core reason why government isn't working for many of us.

Specifically, there is a deafening silence in the Republican primary on the need to overhaul our campaign finance laws to put voters back in charge. In the past, you have advocated for a variety of solutions to this problem. Your silence during the current race has left many to believe that political expediency has trumped principles when it comes to cleaning up big money in politics.

Along with these 10,145 signers, I urge you to pledge to support comprehensive public financing of federal elections to break the stranglehold that big donors have on our political process and to restore hope that the voices of voters can be heard in the corridors of power.

This presidential race likely to be the country's first billion dollar contest will likely lead to voters' disgust with money in politics hitting all-time highs. The two remaining Democratic candidates already have pledged to support comprehensive public financing of federal elections.

With your vocal support during the rest of the campaign, should you become the nominee, voters would be assured that the days of elections being more about donors and dollars than voters and volunteers could soon be over, regardless of the winner in November.

Sincerely,

David Donnelly

Director