Editors' Note [July 29, 2020 at 9:26 p.m.]: This correction has been edited for clarity. Additionally, the statement provided by Madeline Pawlak has been updated. An earlier version of their statement incorrectly claimed Collin Rees said Roys has never violated the pledge. Rees clarified, "Kelda Roys did indeed violate the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge... [and] acted quickly to remedy these violations, and returned them. Because she did so, she remains a pledge signer and in good standing with the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge."
On the evening of July 25, The Daily Cardinal published an op-ed on behalf of registered student organization Sunrise Madison that — at the time of our publication — did not reflect the most current status of a donation to the Kelda Roys for State Senate Campaign from a lobbyist tied to fossil fuel companies. Roys had signed the No Fossil Fuel Pledge, and her campaign had returned the funds. The op-ed has been removed from The Daily Cardinal website. The Daily Cardinal strives for accuracy and welcomes reader contacts about errors that warrant correction. Please email messages to: editor@dailycardinal.com.
Madeline Pawlak, spokesperson for the Roys campaign, issued this statement in response to the op-ed:
“The unsigned op-ed by Sunrise Madison repeats a claim from a negative ad produced by one of Kelda’s opponents.
Collin Rees of No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge said, “Kelda Roys remains in good standing as a No Fossil Fuel Money pledge signer because she has returned the prohibited contribution. Prompt action is exactly what the No Fossil Fuel Money coalition expects from pledge signers, and it shows they are committed to ridding our politics of fossil fuel money.” Pledge signers may not knowingly accept contributions over $200 from fossil fuel executives, and they have 7 days after becoming aware of a potential prohibited contribution to return it. Kelda returned it the very same day.
Kelda Roys has always been one of the strongest advocates for campaign finance reform and ending corporate influence in politics. Kelda was one of the first serious candidates in the country to reject all corporate PAC contributions -- back in 2011! Kelda doesn’t just talk about good government -- she’s spent her career making progressive change. In the state assembly, and as a longtime Common Cause board member, Kelda pushed for public funding for campaign finance and to overturn Citizens United.
Kelda is running a positive, issue-based campaign powered by small-dollar donations from Wisconsinites and more than 150 volunteers. We remain focused on sharing Kelda’s bold progressive vision for a Wisconsin Green New Deal, 100% clean, renewable, sustainable power, regenerative agriculture, and clean air and water for every Wisconsinite.”
