Fred Wertheimer
Encyclopedia
Fredric Michael "Fred" Wertheimer (born 1939) is an American
activist notable for his work on campaign finance reform
. He served as president of Common Cause
and is currently the President and CEO of Democracy 21
and Democracy 21 Education Fund, which he founded in 1997.
He has received honorary Doctorates from Colby College
in 1990 and Grinnell College
in 1999.
His wife is Linda Wertheimer
of the National Public Radio, former co-anchor of the program All Things Considered
.
In 2001 he filed suit in Fred Wertheimer, et al., v. Federal Election Commission
. One position he holds is that the government has the right to ban or regulate certain forms of political expression. In reference to the section of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act limiting corporate and labor union funding of broadcast ads advocating a candidate within 30 days of a primary or caucus or 60 days of a general election, he stated in an August 29, 2009 interview in the New York Times, "A campaign document in the form of a book can be banned." 1
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
activist notable for his work on campaign finance reform
Campaign finance reform
Campaign finance reform is the common term for the political effort in the United States to change the involvement of money in politics, primarily in political campaigns....
. He served as president of Common Cause
Common Cause
Common Cause is a self-described nonpartisan, nonprofit lobby and advocacy organization. It was founded in 1970 by John W. Gardner, a Republican former cabinet secretary under Lyndon Johnson, as a "citizens' lobby" with a mission focused on making U.S. political institutions more open and...
and is currently the President and CEO of Democracy 21
Democracy 21
Democracy 21 is a non-profit organization in the United States that works to remove the influence of private money from politics . It was founded in 1997 by longtime activist Fred Wertheimer, and is based in Washington, DC...
and Democracy 21 Education Fund, which he founded in 1997.
He has received honorary Doctorates from Colby College
Colby College
Colby College is a private liberal arts college located on Mayflower Hill in Waterville, Maine. Founded in 1813, it is the 12th-oldest independent liberal arts college in the United States...
in 1990 and Grinnell College
Grinnell College
Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college in Grinnell, Iowa, U.S. known for its strong tradition of social activism. It was founded in 1846, when a group of pioneer New England Congregationalists established the Trustees of Iowa College....
in 1999.
His wife is Linda Wertheimer
Linda Wertheimer
-Background and education:Wertheimer was born on March 19, 1943 in Carlsbad, New Mexico. She graduated from Wellesley College with the class of 1965.-Career:...
of the National Public Radio, former co-anchor of the program All Things Considered
All Things Considered
All Things Considered is the flagship news program on the American network National Public Radio. It was the first news program on NPR, and is broadcast live worldwide through several outlets...
.
In 2001 he filed suit in Fred Wertheimer, et al., v. Federal Election Commission
Federal Election Commission
The Federal Election Commission is an independent regulatory agency that was founded in 1975 by the United States Congress to regulate the campaign finance legislation in the United States. It was created in a provision of the 1975 amendment to the Federal Election Campaign Act...
. One position he holds is that the government has the right to ban or regulate certain forms of political expression. In reference to the section of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act limiting corporate and labor union funding of broadcast ads advocating a candidate within 30 days of a primary or caucus or 60 days of a general election, he stated in an August 29, 2009 interview in the New York Times, "A campaign document in the form of a book can be banned." 1