Politics & Government

In Chappaqua, Wagner Touts Campaign Finance Reform

Democratic state senate candidate discusses his proposals.

State Senate challenger Justin Wagner (D-Croton-on-Hudson) discussed his support for several campaign finance reform items during a Thursday stop in Chappaqua.

“Right now, special interests can give more money to our candidate for the state Senate or state Assembly through loopholes and dodges than many folks here in Westchester and Putnam earn in a year," he said at the event, held at the

Wagner came out in favor of lowering the maximum donation amount for candidats, creating a state-backed matching fund for small donations, requiring more donor information disclosure and have a crackdown on fundraising practices deemed unethical.

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“Our legislators shouldn’t be spending all their time chasing five-figure checks. They should be working to support their constituents," he said.

Wagner argued that state senate candidates can even get more money from individual donors than candidates running for President of the United States.

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Naturally, Wagner was accompanied at the podium by supporters.

“Right now, the most corrupting influence on our democracy is money and politics," said Jessica Wisneski, campaigns director for a group called Citizen Action of New York.

Elizabeth Saenger, of Westchester for Change, said that his proposals will bring reform.

“We desperately need it. It is the bridge we have to cross to get to everything else.”

Wagner is running for the 40th state Senate district, which includes New Castle and Mount Kisco. He is trying to unseat incumbent Greg Ball (R-Patterson), who is running for his second, 2-year term.


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