Proud to stand with Mike on his quest to stand for something important. Too often we let the impossibility of the fight against corruption generally stop us from acting locally. But here's a place we could do some good. Please help as you can — if you're in the district, most importantly by voting, but elsewhere, simply by spreading the message. A candidate who is making money the issue. A #Rootstriker.

Thank you, Mike, for taking this burden on. 

With just 11 days to go until the election, our campaign is shaping up to be one of the most competitive races in the entire state of Massachusetts.

Last week, I received strong reviews after my first debate with the incumbent, and then the Boston Phoenix did a huge profile on our campaign. 

By all accounts, we have the potential to win the race and set an incredible, new example for our democracy...

I have been following the recent race for State Representative in the 26th Middlesex District with interest because of the inspired campaign being run by Mike Connolly. 

Mike’s running a campaign that does not accept any financial contributions.  While many of us decry the influence of money in politics, Mike is actually trying to do something about it.  Instead of merely complaining, “No Money” Mike is leading by example. 

In the first debate, incumbent Representative (and Cambridge City Councillor) Tim Toomey leveled a personal attack on Mike on the basis of where he works, Autonomy, Inc.  I took particular exception with this as I too am employed by Autonomy.

I have worked closely with Mike for the past two years in a division that makes and supports software used by the legal profession.  We spend our days helping our clients use our technology to efficiently sift through the voluminous information that arises in the course of legal investigations and litigation...

A victory by No money Mike in 2012 is far more consequential than a victory by either Romney or Obama because it would be the first consequential victory for the principles of Rootstrikers.org.

If Mike is elected and makes bad decisions, we can be confident that he makes bad decisions due to personal faults, not because he is a lacky of his donors.

Go Mike!

Seven months ago, I started knocking on doors and meeting with progressives in Cambridge and Somerville.

I asked everyone the same thing: would you support a new alternative to the status quo on Beacon Hill? And how would you feel about a campaign for State Representative that refused to accept financial contributions?

The response was overwhelmingly positive.  In short order, dozens of people asked if they could volunteer, hundreds pledged their (non-financial) support, and we went on to organize the first general election challenge that the 26th Middlesex District has seen in almost a decade...

Meanwhile, Tim Toomey did what politicians always do — he started raising money — over $25,000.00 worth of money (and counting) — all to protect one of the two seats that he has held for the past twenty years...

But where does all this money come from?  How has Tim been using it?  And what does all this say about the state of our democracy?

I am in my fourth term as a Cambridge City Councillor and I find Mike's commitment to Clean Elections, his thoughtful approach to public policy, his personal demeanor, his life story, his deep desire to serve his community and his committment to walking his talk about appropriate campaign financing very refreshing.  If I lived in his district, I would vote for him.  He's the sort of fresh thinking politician we need on Beacon Hill and beyond!