Lever Time MONEYBOMB, Part 4: How Zohran Mamdani Beat Citizens United
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Nov 3, 2025 This episode features Karen Wharton, Democracy Coalition Coordinator for Citizen Action of New York, and Jillian Gilchrest, Connecticut state representative and congressional candidate. They delve into the transformative power of public campaign financing. Wharton discusses how NYC's system amplifies grassroots donations, while Gilchrest shares experiences from Connecticut’s public financing and its role in enabling her campaign. Together, they explore how public money counters the influence of corporate cash, improves representation, and fosters grassroots engagement.
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Small Donors Become Campaign Labor
- Public financing turns small donors into volunteers and builds campaign infrastructure.
- Karen links low-dollar donors to higher volunteer rates and stronger grassroots campaigns.
Two Decades To Pass State Public Financing
- Karen recounts New York State's two-decade effort to pass public financing amid frequent corruption.
- Civic groups like Citizen Action and the Fair Election Coalition mobilized challengers and built legislative support.
Diversity Improves With Clean Elections
- Public financing increases representation by lowering fundraising barriers for women and people of color.
- Karen credits the program for producing a more diverse, majority-female city council.
