Press Release: Irene Shin announces Ethical Virginia Campaign Reform Package – 'Virginians can’t wait until the next scandal to enact much needed ethics reforms.'

HERNDON, Va. – Today, Irene Shin announces her Ethical Virginia Campaign Reform Package, which eliminates conflicts of interest between legislators and donors, makes sure state resources aren’t used for political purposes, and puts much needed enforcement and penalties into campaign finance law enforcement.

Statement of Irene Shin:

“Virginians can’t wait until the next scandal to enact much needed ethics reforms.

“My legislative package includes four components:

1. A complete ban on campaign fundraising during all General Assembly sessions including special session – legislators should not be voting on bills and the budget while soliciting campaign contributions for re-election. Elected officials need to focus on working for their constituents, not their re-election, while being paid by taxpayers.

2. Enhance accountability of state resources. Public resources cannot be used for campaign or personal communications. We need a firewall between official work such as constituent services or public employees, and political activities. Elected officials shouldn’t be able to use public resources to conduct campaign activities towards re-election or to promote private business.  

3. Prohibit using campaign funds for personal expenses. Currently, Virginia has no limitations on using campaign funds as a personal expense account. 

4. Any ethics reform needs increased fines and enforcement to be effective. The existing Virginia Conflicts of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council was created to ‘encourage and facilitate compliance’ with state law, with little in the way of enforcement and consequences for violations. I’ll work to reform campaign finance law and make sure penalties for campaign and fundraising violations are vigorously enforced for the public interest.

“The 86th District deserves strong progressive leadership that knows how to get things done.

"I’ve worked as a community organizer, an activist, a General Assembly advocate, and most importantly, as someone who brings people together to get things done. I’ve seen how legislators can abuse their positions to solicit campaign contributions during General Assembly sessions. I’ll introduce legislation to ensure public resources are not used for political campaign activities and I’ll work to reform the Ethics Advisory Council so that it has teeth, including fines and enforcement. These reforms are just the first steps in holding our elected officials accountable and making our government more transparent.

“As the 86th District’s next Delegate, I’ll fight to implement these reforms, and continue to protect our community’s best interests.”

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Irene Shin has worked as a community organizer, an activist, and a General Assembly advocate for a number of causes, including improving access to healthcare, fighting Big Money's influence in politics, and expanding voting rights to all Virginians.

Irene has also worked to bring transportation solutions and improved mass transit to the region, having served as a member of the Tysons Transportation District Service Advisory Board for Fairfax County.

A lifelong Democrat, Irene has helped dozens of ordinary citizens prepare to run for office. She serves on the board of the Competitive Commonwealth Fund, which recruits and trains Democratic candidates for the House of Delegates across Virginia.

Currently Irene is the Executive Director for a nonprofit focused on increasing civic engagement in Virginia.

Irene lives in downtown Herndon. She enjoys visiting local businesses, and walking on the W&OD Trail.

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