I talk a lot about things that I find outrageous -- large donations from companies, lobbyists drowning out the voice of the people at the statehouse, etc. But sometimes, I come across something that seems pure, and I want to point out those moments as well. In this post category, I will highlight those candidates whose finances indicate they have strong grassroots support. In my view, that means that they are predominately supported by individual contributors, especially small dollar donors. I will call this the Strong Roots award.

When I first created the tool on this page, I pulled up a list of state representatives and senators and started plugging in random names to test it out. I was pleasantly surprised to see the campaign finances of State Senator Zach Wahls of District 37 (Coralville, western Iowa City, Solon, and rural Johnson and Cedar Counties). Zach is funded 96.2% by individual donors with small donors making up 42.5% of contributions received. Zach's finances are among the most people-powered that I've found so far.

As an outspoken advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, fully funding education, and reversing medicaid privatization, Zach won his 2018 primary election with 59.7% of the vote and went on to win his general election with 78.0% of the vote. He serves on the Agriculture, Appropriations, Education, and Ways and Means committees and is ranking member of the Education Appropriations subcommittee. Zach's campaign finances show that when politicians represent the people of the districts they serve, the people support them in return. Zach said he would “fight for everyone who, like my family, have been left out or left behind or used as a political target," and his actions back his words. For that reason, he is the first recipient of the QuidQuo Strong Roots Award.

Keep up the good work, Zach!

Cover image attribution

Image was modified by me. The grass was taken from a public domain image. Roots were taken from this public domain image