Pacion First Democrat to Qualify and Receive Clean Elections Funding in LD 23

June 24, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pacion First Democrat to Qualify and Receive Clean Elections Funding in LD 23

(Casa Grande, AZ)—Krista Pacion, candidate for the Arizona House of Representatives in Legislative District 23, is the first Democrat to qualify and receive funding as a Clean Elections candidate in the district. The Secretary of State signed a letter of certification, and Clean Elections funds were disbursed late last week.

Pacion received $5 Clean Elections contributions from 279 supporters in District 23, 27 percent more than the required 220 needed for a legislative candidate. She submitted the contributions and forms to the Secretary of State’s office on June 13, 2008. “I received contributions from voters throughout the district, and I’m incredibly grateful to them for helping me to qualify as a Clean Elections candidate,” Pacion said. She covered all corners of the district, from events in Kearny, San Manuel, and Superior, to house parties and canvassing in Apache Junction, Maricopa, and her home town of Casa Grande. Pacion continued, “I particularly enjoyed meeting people at the many events in the district; the support from voters and volunteers has been overwhelming.”

Clean Elections was approved by voters in 1998 to decrease the influence of special interest groups in statewide and legislative elections. In 1998, 79 percent of all races were decided by money - the candidates with the largest campaign war chests won. In 2002, only two percent of races were affected by disparate funding.

Pacion said, “Clean Elections has allowed me to run for office without donations from special interest groups. Instead, I’m excited to have worked on a grassroots level to receive $5 contributions from hundreds of people in District 23.” Pacion will use the Clean Elections funds to finance her campaign through the rest of the election season, starting with the Democratic primary on September 2, 2008.

Krista Pacion was born and raised in Arizona and is a long-time Casa Grande resident. She asks registered voters in District 23 for their continued support, and more importantly, their vote. At the legislature, Pacion will work with perseverance and dedication to develop common-sense solutions to issues facing District 23.  For more information, visit www.krista2008.com.

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