Karen Wharton

This episode features Karen Wharton, Democracy Coalition Coordinator for Citizen Action of New York, and Jillian Gilchrest, Connecticut state representative and congressional candidate. They delve into the transformative power of public campaign financing. Wharton discusses how NYC's system amplifies grassroots donations, while Gilchrest shares experiences from Connecticut’s public financing and its role in enabling her campaign. Together, they explore how public money counters the influence of corporate cash, improves representation, and fosters grassroots engagement.