CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND ETHICS PLEDGE

I, Sean Dougherty, as a candidate for Congress for California's District 19, representing the Green Party, commit to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct, transparency, and accountability in my campaign and, if elected, in my service to the public. I firmly believe that a truly representative government must be free from the corrupting influence of corporate money and special interests, including foreign interests.

I. Campaign Finance Principles

1. No Corporate, PAC, or "Dark Money": I will not accept any contributions from corporations, and corporate PACs. I will refuse any funds from 501(c)(4) organizations or other entities that do not fully disclose their donors.

2. No Foreign or AIPAC Lobbyist Money: I pledge not to accept contributions from registered foreign lobbyists, organizations primarily funded by foreign governments or entities, or the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), including its affiliated PACs or individuals acting as conduits for its funds.

3. Rejecting Super PAC Support: I will publicly disavow any support from Super PACs or other outside groups making independent expenditures in support of my candidacy. My campaign will not coordinate with any such groups.

4. Grassroots Fundraising: I will prioritize small, individual donations and community-based fundraising efforts. I will actively engage with my constituents to build a campaign powered by the people, not by big money.

5. No Bundling: I will not solicit or accept bundled contributions arranged by lobbyists or special interests.

6. Fossil Fuel Free: I pledge not to accept contributions from fossil fuel companies, their PACs, lobbyists, or executives.

7. Public Financing Support: I will advocate for and support the implementation of full public financing of elections at the local, state, and federal levels.

II. Ethical Conduct in Office (If Elected)

1. No Conflicts of Interest: I will recuse myself from any matter in which I have a personal, financial, or professional conflict of interest.

2. Post-Service Lobbying Restriction: Upon leaving office, I will not engage in lobbying activities to prevent the revolving door between public service and private interests.

3. Gift Ban: I will not accept any gifts, meals, or other favors from lobbyists, corporations, or individuals with a vested interest in government decisions.

4. Lobbyist Meeting: I will not accept meetings with lobbyists and representatives of special interest groups, including foreign agents.

5. Commitment to Open Government: I will champion policies that promote transparency, accountability, and public participation in government, such as open data initiatives, whistleblower protection, and expanded access to public records.

6. Sustainability Focus: I will prioritize policies that promote ecological sustainability, social justice, and community resilience, in alignment with the Green Party's Ten Key Values.

7. Ethical Investments: I will ensure that my personal investments and those of my immediate family are aligned with Green Party values, avoiding investments in industries that harm the environment or exploit workers.

III. Commitment to Systemic Change

1. Constitutional Amendment: I support amending the U.S. Constitution to unequivocally establish that money is not speech, that corporations are not people, and that Congress and the states have the power to regulate campaign finance.

2. Electoral Reform: I will advocate for electoral reforms such as ranked-choice voting and proportional representation to create a more level playing field for all candidates and parties.

3. Empowering Local Communities: I will work to decentralize power and empower local communities to make decisions that affect their lives, promoting grassroots democracy and community-based economics.
   

I make this pledge to demonstrate my unwavering commitment to the Green Party's principles and to building a more just, sustainable, and democratic society.