John,

It’s hard for the little guys to fight the big guys and their money when it comes to politics.

That’s why it’s so incredible that Zohran Mamdani won his race for Mayor of New York City. And one of the big reasons for his victory was the city’s public financing of elections.

Powerful forces lined up to stop him: at least 26 billionaires chipped in to fund outside super PACs that spent a total of $55 million to try and defeat Mamdani.

In this week’s video, we look at what New York City did that gave Mamdani the ability to fight the billionaires and run on the issues that mattered to New Yorkers.

Watch and Share

Public financing of elections helps level the playing field for everyday Americans whose voices are being drowned out by the ultra-wealthy. It gives the little guys the ability to compete with the mega-donor class, and encourages working-class people to run for office.

In short, public financing helps put democracy in the hands of the people, not in the wallets of the wealthy.

I hope you’ll share the video, and advocate for public financing in your state and local elections.

Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action