From today's press release:
WASHINGTON, D.C. - 21st Century Democrats, the leading national organization working to elect visionary progressive leaders, today announced its endorsement of voting rights leader John Bonifaz for Massachusetts Secretary of State. It is one of only 15 endorsements being made across the country by the group.
"John Bonifaz has been a visionary national leader in protecting voter rights and reducing the influence of money in politics," said 21st Century Democrats Executive Director Kelly Young. "John's extraordinary leadership resulted in his being awarded the prestigious MacArthur Foundation Fellowship and we are excited to have chosen John as one of only 15 candidates in the country we will be endorsing and working to elect this year. As Massachusetts Secretary of State, John will inspire elected leaders across the country to make it easier for voters to participate in our democracy, count every vote cast in all elections and reduce the influence of special interest money in government."
21st Century Democrats is a political organization committed to electing extraordinary, visionary leaders who will be courageous risk takers in creating innovative solutions to our country's problems. The group seeks out, trains, and supports candidates who will stand up for what they believe and put forward new visionary ideas. 21st Century Democrats' passion for inspiring people and reaching beyond ideology has produced results. 21st Century Democrats has grown to be the 13th largest political committee in the United States and has elected over 140 candidates to office in the last 7 years.
In the past, 21st Century Democrats has endorsed dozens of candidates per election. This year, the group is limiting its endorsements to a small group - no more than 15 candidates - who are truly remarkable new leaders and who share their vision for the greatness of America.
For over a decade, Bonifaz has been a powerful voice and dedicated leader working with people throughout Massachusetts and across the country to protect the right to vote, demand a full recount in Ohio, overhaul the nation's campaign finance system and broaden citizen participation in the democratic process.
John Bonifaz founded the National Voting Rights Institute in 1994. NVRI has become the pre-eminent legal and public education center committed to preserving the right of all citizens to vote. Bonifaz has been a staunch defender of the Massachusetts Clean Elections Law against the State Legislature that refused to fund the law passed overwhelmingly by voters in 1998. Bonifaz won a landmark ruling from the Massachusetts Supreme Court forcing the state to provide the necessary funds to all qualified candidates running in the 2002 election.
In 1999, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation awarded John with a prestigious MacArthur Foundation Fellowship. This fellowship is awarded annually by the foundation to approximately two dozen Americans who have demonstrated exceptional originality and creativity, a track record of significant accomplishments and promise for future advances.
