Washington, DC—The Fair Elections Now Act has gained its 150th co-sponsor, Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), showing rapid momentum to change the way Washington works, according to the Fair Elections Now coalition. The growing support for Fair Elections, championed by House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson (D-Conn.), is a sign of increasing momentum by Congress and Main Street America to put the public interest ahead of the special interests.

“Primary elections this week showed that the anti-Washington and anti-establishment fervor among the American electorate continues to build,” said David Donnelly, campaign manager for the coalition. “It’s as simple as this—voters want their voices heard in Washington and they want Congress to listen to the everyday concerns they are facing, not the big money donations from special interests. If Congress doesn’t act, voters will give incumbents their comeuppance in the fall.”

The coalition applauds the 150 co-sponsors for their leadership in pushing forward with the Fair Elections Now Act, a comprehensive solution to our broken political system.

The bipartisan Fair Elections Now Act (H.R. 1826) would provide candidates for Congress the option to run competitive campaigns for office on a blend of Fair Elections funds and a four to one match on donations of $100 or less. With Fair Elections, candidates can spend their time focused on the voters, instead of dialing for dollars and attending gala fundraisers. Instead of relying on entrenched Washington lobbyists or Wall Street CEOs, Fair Elections candidates could rely on their grassroots base to fund their campaigns.

The 150 co-sponsors represent a broad, ideological diverse array of the House, with strong support across caucuses and party lines. Its companion legislation in the Senate, sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) has 17 co-sponsors, including Sens. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).

More than 50 top American business leaders, 40 national constituency organizations, and 200 faith leaders have endorsed the legislation. Since January, nearly 200,000 people have signed a petition urging Congress to pass the Fair Elections Now Act.

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The Fair Elections Now Coalition includes Change Congress, Common Cause, Democracy Matters, Public Campaign, Public Citizen, and U.S. Public Interest Research Group. Three-dozen additional organizations have endorsed the Fair Elections Now Act. For more information about the bill and the coalition, visit www.fairelectionsnow.org.