Table of Contents Delegate Joshua Cole – Legislative Remarks on Campaign Finance Reform Opening: A Call for Integrity in Politics The Problem: A Broken System Call to action Facilitator: Delegate Josh Cole

Time: 3–5 minutes

• Thank you, Senator Boysko, for bringing us together today.
• I’m honored to stand alongside my colleagues in this fight for integrity, accountability, and a campaign finance system that serves the people—not the powerful.
• We all know what’s at stake: trust in our democracy, faith in our institutions, and the ability of everyday Virginians to have a real voice in government.

• Right now, Virginia ranks 46th out of 50 for anti-corruption measures—one of the worst in the country.
• We have no limits on corporate contributions—allowing big money to drown out the voices of working families.
• And until now, Virginia was one of just two states that allowed candidates to use campaign funds for personal expenses—turning public trust into a private bank account.
• This is not how democracy should work. Elected office is a calling to serve, not an opportunity to profit.
• The Moral Obligation: Serving, Not Profiting
• Scripture is clear about leadership: it is about service, not self-interest.
• Proverbs 29:4: "By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down."
• Luke 16:10: "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much."
• This is about trust—trust between elected officials and the people they serve. If we lose that trust, we lose the very foundation of democracy.
• The Solution: Real Reform, Real Accountability
• That’s why I’m proud to support this legislation.
• With this bill, we put a stop to the personal use of campaign funds. No more treating donations as a personal slush fund.
• We’re saying loud and clear: campaign funds should be used for campaigning—not personal luxuries.
• And that’s just the beginning. We must continue fighting for stronger campaign finance laws that:

Ban corporate donations.

• Bring transparency to dark money groups.
• Strengthen our election system so the people—not money—decide our future.
• The Call to Action: Democracy Belongs to the People
• But we cannot do this alone. We need your voice.
• Frederick Douglass said it best: “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”
• Today, we demand a campaign finance system that works for the people, not the powerful.
• We need you to stay engaged, push for these reforms, and help us build a movement that will keep fighting until our democracy works for everyone.

The Campaign Integrity Act represents a vital step toward restoring trust in our political system. It’s time for Virginia to shed its outlier status and join the majority of states in upholding basic ethical campaign practices. We urge the Governor to support this legislation and help build a government that earns the trust of every Virginian.