For Immediate Release
Contact: Lauren Mannerberg, 929-553-7702, lauren@anatgerstein.com
Second-ever Presidential Endorsement in Citizens Union 125-Year History of Advocating for Good Government
New York, NY (October 16, 2024) — Today, Citizens Union announced its endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for President in the 2024 election. This marks only the second time in the organization’s 125-year history that it has endorsed a candidate for the highest office in the nation.
Citizens Union has long prioritized supporting candidates at the state and local level who share the organization’s values of transparency, accountability, and respect for democratic institutions. However, in this moment of serious consequence for the future of our country, Citizens Union once again finds it necessary to expand our focus to the presidential race.
“We are confident that Kamala Harris will uphold the democratic values that have long defined this country,” said Randy Mastro, Chair of Citizens Union. “Her proven commitment to defending the rule of law, her leadership on voting rights, and her pledge to ensure the peaceful transfer of power makes her the clear choice for President in 2024. Donald Trump, on the other hand, continues to trade in disinformation, falsely claiming his rivals are ‘getting ready to cheat’ and baselessly suggesting that Democrats were behind the attempt on his life. He even goes so far as to proclaim there will be ‘massive fraud’ warranting ‘the termination of the Constitution’ in order to reinstate him as President. Trump poses a clear threat to the rule of law and the future of our democracy, and we cannot afford to sit on the sidelines in the face of these unprecedented dangers to our democracy.”
Four years ago, Citizens Union took the unprecedented step, for the first time in its more than century-long history, of endorsing in the 2020 Presidential election, citing former President Donald Trump’s disregard for the rule of law, his attacks on our democratic institutions, and his refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power. Following his loss in the 2020 election, Trump refused to concede, spread false claims of election fraud, and incited an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, in an attempt to disrupt the certification of the electoral college vote.
Trump’s actions then, and his ongoing attempts to undermine public trust in the 2024 election, pose an existential threat to American democracy. Trump continues to try to delegitimize the electoral process in a manner never seen in American history. In addition, Trump still poses a clear threat to the rule of law. He has said that under his administration, the Department of Justice will investigate and prosecute his political enemies. His refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election, his embrace of autocratic leaders, and his vow to weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies are antithetical to the values Citizens Union has fought for since its founding in 1897.
In contrast, Kamala Harris has dedicated her career to defending the rule of law and protecting democratic institutions, and she has pledged to respect the peaceful transfer of power. She has a lifelong commitment to maintaining the rule of law and has served the justice system as a prosecutor, District Attorney, and State Attorney General.
As Vice President, Harris led efforts to pass crucial voting rights legislation, including the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act, which aimed to expand voting access for marginalized communities, combat voter suppression, and end partisan gerrymandering. Harris also supported the successful passage of the Electoral Count Reform Act, strengthening the process by which electoral votes are certified.
The 2024 election is a pivotal moment for our nation. Citizens Union cannot remain silent when our democracy is at stake. Citizens Union urges voters to vote for Kamala Harris for President and reject the threat to our democracy that Donald Trump presents.
For more information on Citizens Union’s endorsement, click here.
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