Mill Valley (Mar. 15, 2010) – Christina Tobin, Libertarian Party candidate for Secretary of State of California, today announced the endorsement of Kevin Zeese in her campaign for the 2010 Secretary of State race. Tobin also exposed the numerous corporate supporters that are behind Proposition 14, the controversial June ballot measure also known as “top-two open primary.”

Kevin Zeese of Campaign for Fresh Air and Clean Politics* is also against Proposition 14. “Proposition 14 would further entrench the corporate duopoly that dominates American politics, putting in place profits for corporate campaign donors by preventing real change to meet the basic necessities of the people,” stated Zeese. ”California voters need real checks and balances, and you don’t get that from either of the two major parties. Tobin is a long-term advocate for open, honest and fair elections and will make sure California’s democracy is trustworthy.”

Several organizations have expressed opposition to the measure including the California Green Party, Libertarian Party, Peace and Freedom Party, ACLU of Northern California, and Californians for Electoral Reform – all of which oppose corporate control over electoral politics.

Proposition 14 would increase the requirements for third-parties to remain ballot-qualified and abolish write-in voting for both Congress and state office in November. The measure further discriminates against third-party and independent candidates by permitting members of “qualified” parties to have their party affiliation next to their names on the ballot, yet not permitting that label for members of unqualified parties. In summary, Proposition 14 makes it virtually impossible for independent candidates to appear on the November ballot for Congress and statewide office. Last week, Tobin launched the Stop Top Two website (www.stoptoptwo.org), which serves as the central hub for Californians opposed to Proposition 14.

Big corporate money is pouring in to support Proposition 14. Blue Shield of California, Hewlett Packard, Shea Homes, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, and Pacific Life Insurance Company are among the large corporate contributors. The list of contributors is located on the California Secretary of State website here. The California Association of Health Underwriters PAC contributed $100,000.

“Look who is supporting this measure,” stated Tobin. “Do you really believe Blue Shield of California, Hewlett Packard, and Pacific Life Insurance Company want to buy genuine electoral reform for California? It is safe to assume that large corporations regulated by the state want to have government in their pockets. They want to maintain the two-party status quo, and Proposition 14 would make these parties tyrannical.”

*for identification purposes only